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.

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)

Patricia C. Springfield Patricia C. Springfield of Richmond, Indiana 1940 – 2019 Arrangements pending with Community Family Funeral Home, Richmond — (Posted December 17, 2019)

Beatrice Virginia Hickman Schibley RICHMOND, Ind. – Beatrice Virginia Hickman Schibley, age 91, of Richmond, Indiana, passed away peacefully in the presence of her family on Friday, December 13, 2019. Beatrice was born February 15, 1928, in Philippi, West Virginia, to Isaac Clayton and Mary Jane Fornash Hickman. She was raised by her mother and aunts during The Great […] — (Posted December 17, 2019)

Eva Jean Green RICHMOND, Ind. – Eva Jean Green, age 82, of Richmond, Indiana, died Monday, December 16, 2019, at her daughter’s home in Centerville, Indiana, surrounded by her family. Born November 28, 1937, in Wayne County, Indiana, to John and Edna Brewer McQueen, Jean lived in Centerville most of her life. She attended Richmond High School. Jean […] — (Posted December 17, 2019)

Charles Robert “Bob” Cutshaw Charles Robert “Bob” Cutshaw, 84, of Hagerstown, died at his home on Saturday, December 14, 2019, following a long illness, with his loving wife by his side. Bob was born near Greenville, TN on October 28, 1935 to Dempsey and Gladys (Bolden) Cutshaw. When he was about 9 years old they moved to New Castle. […] — (Posted December 17, 2019)

John Alan Lee John Alan Lee, 77, passed away peacefully in his own home on Sunday, December 15, surrounded by his loving family. John was born in New Castle on February 26, 1942, to Wilbur “Skinny” Lee and Hallie (Shirk) Lee. He was the third of three children and was a “surprise”, as his sister was 17 and […] — (Posted December 17, 2019)

Nancy E. Stoddard Nancy E. Stoddard, age 90, of Richmond, Indiana passed away on Friday (December 13, 2019) at Reid Hospital. She was born on December 8, 1929 in Indianapolis, Indiana, to Delos and Ada Robinson York. Nancy loved to work and even got upset when her doctor informed her that she was no longer allowed to work. […] — (Posted December 17, 2019)

Imogene Jeannette Van Sickle RICHMOND, Ind. – Imogene Jeannette Van Sickle, age 84, of Richmond, Indiana, died Sunday, December 15, 2019, at her home surrounded by her family. Born November 20, 1935, in Richmond, Indiana, to Francis T. and Esther Hartley Stanley Sr., Imogene lived in Richmond most of her life. She was a 1954 graduate of Richmond High […] — (Posted December 17, 2019)

Phyllis June (Brown) Neal Phyllis June (Brown) Neal, 93, of New Castle, went to her Heavenly home on the afternoon of Thursday, December 12, 2019, at Glen Oaks Health Campus. She was born on May 2, 1926, the youngest of four children in a small house on South Main Street in New Castle, Indiana. Her parents were Alonzo “Lon” […] — (Posted December 15, 2019)

Judith Ann Wood ORANGE- Judith Ann Wood, 88, passed away Saturday morning December 14, 2019, at Caroleton Manor in Connersville, Indiana. A daughter of the late Merle and Ruby E. (Davis) Shepler, Judy was born in Connersville on August 25, 1931. She attended Union County schools. Judy married the late Raymond T. “Grinny” Wood in Brookville on May […] — (Posted December 15, 2019)

Wade R. Sams RICHMOND, Ind. – Wade R. Sams, age 79, of Richmond, Indiana, died Saturday, December 14, 2019, at Reid Health. Born August 3, 1940, in Rock Castle County, Kentucky, to John E. and Kitty Smith Sams, Wade moved to Richmond in 1960. He retired from Paul Casket Company and formerly worked at Wayne Works until its […] — (Posted December 15, 2019)

Dinah Lou Moore Dinah Lou Moore, 78, of Liberty, passed away on Friday, December 13, 2019 at Reid Health in Richmond. She was born on June 8, 1941, in Heidelberg, Kentucky to the late Titus Newton and Della Smith Newton. On October 15, 1960 she married Glen Moore in Heidelberg, Kentucky. They shared more than 59 years of […] — (Posted December 15, 2019)

Willard A. “Bill” Wissler Mr. Willard A. “Bill” Wissler, 87, of Richmond, passed away on Friday, December 13, at home with his family at his side. He was born on November 24, 1932, in Milton, Indiana to Linville P. and Emma L. Culbertson Wissler. He was a 1950 graduate of Whitewater High School and 1956 graduate of Purdue University. […] — (Posted December 15, 2019)