Obituaries and Death Notices

Information about current and former Wayne County, Indiana residents and community members who have died. These obituaries are gathered from area funeral homes and other sources.

Wanda June Hedges Wanda June Hedges, age 90, a lifelong resident of Henry County, currently residing at Forest Ridge, passed away on Monday December 23, 2019 at Glen Oakes Health Campus. She was born September 16, 1929 in New Castle, Indiana a daughter of the late Floyd and Edith Lowe Whitworth. Mrs. Hedges was a graduate of Sulphur […] — (Posted December 27, 2019)

Phillip “Phil” Doyle Davis Phillip “Phil” Doyle Davis, 78, of Hagerstown, died on Sunday, December 22, 2019, following a brief illness. Phil was born in Hagerstown, IN on September 8, 1941 to Julius and Marjorie (Snodgrass) Davis. He retired from Perfect Circle / Dana Corp. in Hagerstown. Phil enjoyed NASCAR, fishing, gardening, raising livestock, and spending time with family, […] — (Posted December 27, 2019)

Amanda Nichole Bunch Amanda Nichole Bunch, 30, of Metamora, Indiana, completed her life journey on this earth Sunday evening, December 22, 2019. One of two children of Bret Vernon and Sheryl Ann Peters Oakerson, Amanda was born in Richmond on June 10, 1989, and graduated from Centerville High School with the class of 2008. On April 3, 2010, […] — (Posted December 25, 2019)

Charles W. “Chuck” Hensley HENSLEY, Charles W. “Chuck”, age 88 of Tipp City, passed away Friday, December 20, 2019, at Upper Valley Medical Center in Troy, OH. Chuck was born July 14, 1931 in Richmond, IN, son of the late William H. & Thelma L. (Stott). He was a 1949 graduate of Richmond High School, served in the U.S. […] — (Posted December 25, 2019)

Sidney Eugene Barnes Sidney Eugene Barnes, age 81, went home to be with the Lord on December 17, 2019, unexpectedly with his family by his side. He was born on January 16, 1938 in Blue Ash, Ohio, to Sidney and Modena Sears Barnes. Survivors include his wife Sharon Barnes, whom he married August 16, 2010, one brother in-law […] — (Posted December 25, 2019)

Margaret Purcell Shinn Margaret Purcell Shinn, age 71, of North Carolina, passed away unexpectedly at Reid Health on December 22, 2019. She was born June 11, 1948, to Clement and Kathleen Poston in Richmond, Indiana. Margaret was born and raised in Richmond but had lived in North Carolina for the past 25 years. She loved to go shopping, […] — (Posted December 24, 2019)

Gilbert (“Penny”) Pennington Gilbert (“Penny”) Pennington, 83, of Richmond, Indiana passed away on December 20, 2019. He was born on May 1, 1936 in Richmond Indiana to Clarence and Etta (Hunt) Pennington. Gilbert proudly served 26 years in the United States Air Force as a jet engine mechanic, retiring at the rank of Master Sergeant in 1980. Gilbert […] — (Posted December 24, 2019)

Ethel Ray Hoffman Ethel Ray Hoffman, our beloved mother, best friend and confidante passed away at Heritage House of Richmond on December 20, 2019, after an extended illness. She was born December 26, 1936, to Alonzo Pamplin and Geneva Mitchell. Ethel had lived most of her life in Richmond; enjoying a lengthy career at Reid Memorial Hospital as […] — (Posted December 24, 2019)

John R. Resetar LYNN, Ind. – John R. Resetar, age 44, of Lynn, Indiana, died Sunday, December 22, 2019, at IU Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana. Born July 29, 1975, in Richmond, Indiana, to Richard E. and Marcella Resetar, John was a life-long resident of Wayne and Randolph County. He enjoyed drag racing, helping others, and spending […] — (Posted December 24, 2019)

Myron Joseph Lawler Myron Joseph Lawler, 84, of Richmond died December 21, 2019. He was born February 16, 1930, in Centerville, IN to Ray and Irene Austerman Lawler. He graduated from Richmond High School in 1948. He was a lifelong resident of the Richmond area. Myron is a U.S. Army Veteran, serving during the Korean War Conflict. He […] — (Posted December 22, 2019)

Dean Alan Lamb Dean Alan Lamb died unexpectedly on December 14, 2019. He was born February 22, 1962, in Richmond, and spent most of his life here. Dean was the son of Robert and Pauline (King) Lamb. He was a kind hearted guy that enjoyed helping friends, whether it was cutting down a tree or getting a car […] — (Posted December 22, 2019)

Harry Robert Seffrin Harry Robert Seffrin, 95, a longtime resident of the Modoc area, passed away at his home on Saturday, December 21, 2019. He was born at East Germantown on June 13, 1924 to Oliver Luke and Maude May (Hicks) Seffrin. Harry served with the US Army during WW II. He was a lifelong farmer, a collector […] — (Posted December 22, 2019)

Arlene F. Richardson Arlene F. Richardson, age 77, passed away at December 18, 2019, at Rosebud Village surrounded by her loving family. She was born May 29, 1942, to Arnold and Lena Shaffer in Richmond, Indiana. Arlene lived in Wayne County all of her life. She was a Christian and loved the Lord. She had worked in several […] — (Posted December 22, 2019)

Alberta Ballenger Alberta Ballenger, age 89, passed away Tuesday (December 17, 2019) at Ambassador Healthcare. She was born in Eaton, Ohio, on June 14, 1930 to Arnold Hensley and Marie Fitzer Hendrickson. Alberta married the love of her life Wilbur Ballenger in 1951. Wilbur and Alberta were longtime members of First Christian Church until his passing in […] — (Posted December 22, 2019)

James P. “Jim” Berfanger James P. “Jim” Berfanger, 87, of New Castle, went home to be with the Lord early on the morning of Thursday, December 19, 2019 at Stonebrooke Rehabilitation Center in New Castle. He was born on February 18, 1932 at home in Indianapolis, Indiana, a son of the late, John J. and Dorothy C. (Mosier) Berfanger. […] — (Posted December 20, 2019)

Sara Murray Sara Murray, 80, of Liberty, IN, died Wednesday, December 18, 2019 at McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital after a short illness. A native of Connersville, IN, she was born October 18, 1939, to the late H. Miley and Rosaline Baker Sheets. Sara lived most of her life in College Corner, OH, graduating from Union High School in […] — (Posted December 19, 2019)

Patricia “Pat” Nell Tucker Patricia “Pat” Nell Tucker passed away at Reid Health on December 17, 2019. She was born November 17, 1938, to Elmer Levi Williams and Dorothy Lee Fahrenkopf, in Springfield, Missouri. Pat was a resident of Wayne County and had attended Indiana University East of Richmond. She was a pet owner and an avid animal lover. […] — (Posted December 19, 2019)

Carlos Joseph Gunsalus Carlos Joseph Gunsalus, age 89, of Moraine City, Ohio, passed away on Thursday, October 31, 2019. He was born in Anderson, Indiana on May 31, 1930, to the late, Carlos and Kathryn (Collins) Gunsalas. Joseph was an audiologist for many years. He was is preceded in death by his wife, Susan on March 23rd, 2001. […] — (Posted December 19, 2019)

Judith “Judy” Ray Walter Judith “Judy” Ray Walter, 73 of Fort Wayne, passed away on Saturday, December 14, 2019 after a brief illness. She was born on Friday, May 10, 1946, in Richmond, Indiana to very proud parents, the late Prentice “Ray” and Margaret “Peggy” Koger. Judy graduated in 1964 from Richmond Senior High School and later attended Ball […] — (Posted December 19, 2019)

David C. Burns David C. Burns, 76, of Richmond, passed away December 17, 2019, at Hospice of Southwest Ohio in Madeira, Ohio, after a short illness. He was born January 1, 1943, in Mt. Sterling, Kentucky, to William and Emma Elam Burns and has lived in this area since the ’70s. He retired after 25 years from Harris […] — (Posted December 18, 2019)

Kay Frances Portzline Kay Frances Portzline, 85, of Richmond, died December 17, 2019, at Forest Park Health Campus. She was born November 22, 1934, in Richmond to Robert and Helen Beeson Connerton. She was a former teacher and retired from Earlham College, where she worked with the Dean of Admissions. She was a member of Holy Family Church […] — (Posted December 18, 2019)

Jerry Keith Abrams Jerry Keith Abrams, 65, at Thomson Hood Veterans Center, Wilmore, Kentucky, formerly of Cambridge City, Indiana, passed away Sunday, December 15, 2019. Born in Richmond, Indiana, on June 23, 1954 ,to the late Kermit Abrams and Virgie Lakes Johns. He was a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He is survived by two daughters, Ciara […] — (Posted December 18, 2019)

Jeffrey A. Lacy Jeffrey A. Lacy, 62, of Glenwood, passed away on Tuesday, December 16, 2019, at Major Hospital in Shelbyville, Indiana. He was born on December 16, 1957, in West Union, Ohio, and is the son of the late Junior and Betty Lacy. He had worked as a pipe fitter and welder. He was a member of […] — (Posted December 18, 2019)

Larry D. Harrison Larry D. Harrison, age 66, passed away at Reid Health on December 13, 2019. He was born July 28, 1953, to Boyd and Nancy Elizabeth Harrison, in Richmond, Indiana. Larry was a resident of Wayne County and had lived here most of his life. He enjoyed putting model cars together and loved hardscaping. He was […] — (Posted December 18, 2019)

Eugene Stanley Petty Eugene Stanley Petty, 92, of New Castle, went home to be with the Lord on the evening of Monday, December 16, 2019 at Stonebrooke Rehabilitation Center in New Castle. He was born on December 17, 1926, in Richmond, IN, a son of the late Fred William and Elizabeth (Stanley) Petty. Gene married the love of […] — (Posted December 18, 2019)

Lanette Elaine Young RICHMOND, Ind. – Lanette Elaine Young, age 78, of Richmond, Indiana, died Monday, December 16, 2019, at Friends Fellowship Community. Lanette was born June 8, 1941, in Peru, Nebraska, to Ross and Maryon Thomas Adams. Survivors include her husband of 19 years, Benjamin Young of Winchester, Indiana. Arrangements for Lanette Elaine Young will be announced […] — (Posted December 18, 2019)

Martin S. “Marty” McFadden RICHMOND, Ind. – Martin S. “Marty” McFadden, age 84, of Richmond, Indiana, died Tuesday, December 17, 2019, at his home. Born November 20, 1935, in Richmond, Indiana, to Joseph Knipper and Helen Benham McFadden, Marty was a life-long resident of this community. He owned and operated Marty’s Auto Body for many years before retiring. Marty […] — (Posted December 18, 2019)

Rebecca Lynn Koorsen Rebecca Lynn Koorsen, age 28, died tragically on December 11, 2019, as a result of injuries sustained in a car accident. She was born in Upland, CA on November 30, 1991, to Mark A. Koorsen and Elizabeth A. Cushman. Rebecca was a loving mother to her three children and she will be greatly missed. Left […] — (Posted December 18, 2019)

Sandra J. (Hughes) Hill Sandra J. (Hughes) Hill, age 74, passed away on Monday (December 9, 2019) at Reid Hospital. She was born on September 27, 1945 to Martha Hughes-Reeve and William R. Hughes. Sandra passed away with her children, grandchildren and friend by her bedside. Sandra was given a nick name “Cookie” by her dad. Dad always said […] — (Posted December 18, 2019)

Mark W. Pearson Mark W. Pearson, 63, of Laurel, passed away on Monday, December 16, 2019, at Reid Health in Richmond. He was born on September 20, 1956, in Connersville, and is the son of the late Levi Pearson and Esther Glass Pearson. Mark drove a truck for Quickway Carriers for many years until his health worsened. He […] — (Posted December 18, 2019)