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.

The Rev. W. Leon Thomas The Rev. W. Leon Thomas, 76, passed away July 12, 2019, at his home. He was born January 8, 1943, in Richmond, Indiana to Warder P. and Gladys Necessary Thomas. He married the love of his life, Betty Kinder, on June 19, 1962. He is survived by his wife, one daughter, Angela (Don) Galloway of […] — (Posted July 13, 2019)

James R. Slagle Jr. James R. Slagle Jr., of Cambridge City was born in Batesville on March 24, 1946, a son to Rev. James and Mildred Louise Baker Slagle. James was a veteran with the United States Navy. Throughout his life he worked at Philco Ford, D & M, and also drove a semi. James was a member of […] — (Posted July 12, 2019)

Glendon “Glenn” Harrison Heaven opened up to welcome its newest angel. Glendon “Glenn” Harrison was born December 27, 1944, in Jackson County, Kentucky to James L. and Edith Isaac Harrison passed away July 10, 2019. Glenn was a welder by trade; bartender and co-manager/cook at Greens Fork Diner. Glenn enjoyed playing cards and sitting on the corner waving […] — (Posted July 12, 2019)

Linda A. Bao Linda A. Bao, age 65, passed away at Heritage House of Richmond on July 5, 2019. She had been a patient at the nursing facility since February 27, 2017. She was born August 7, 1953, and we are in search of her next of kin. If you have any information, please call Community Family Funeral […] — (Posted July 12, 2019)

Jalynne A. Frye Jalynne A. Frye passed away at Reid Health on July 8, 2019. She was born September 4, 1963, to Joe and Jeannette Johnson in Richmond, Indiana. Jalynne resided in Richmond, and was a member of Cornerstone Christian Fellowship Church. She was a Respiratory Therapist and a Sleep Lab Study Technician and had worked at Reid […] — (Posted July 12, 2019)

Charles Allen “Chuck” Wonsik RICHMOND, Ind. – Charles Allen “Chuck” Wonsik, age 48, of Richmond, Indiana, died Sunday, July 7, 2019. Chuck was born on November 5, 1970, in Martins Ferry, Ohio, to Stanley Allen and Donna Marie Slater Wonsik. He worked as a veterinary assistant. Survivors include his father, Stanley Wonsik of Richmond; brothers, Chad (Laura) Wonsik of […] — (Posted July 11, 2019)

Samuel Hammond RICHMOND, Ind. – Samuel Hammond, age 90, of Richmond, Indiana, died Wednesday, July 10, 2019, at his daughter’s home surrounded by his family. Born December 28, 1928, in Wolf Pen, Kentucky, to Noah and Tena Noble Hammond, Samuel lived in Richmond most of his life. He was the owner of Tri-County Heating & Cooling for […] — (Posted July 11, 2019)

Doris J. McCreary Doris J. McCreary, 85, of Connersville, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday morning, July 9, 2019, at Caroleton Manor where she had been a resident for the past nine years. One of six children of Jarve and Vetrola (Miller) Howard, Doris was born on May 22, 1934, in East Bernstadt, Laurel County, […] — (Posted July 10, 2019)

Donna Gail Roberts Perry Donna Perry, 72, of Fountain City, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 9, resting comfortably in her bed in the presence of her family. Donna was born in Richmond, Indiana on October 29, 1946, the daughter of Clifford and Margie Vivian Smith Roberts. Donna attended Fountain City High School, where she was a cheerleader. She […] — (Posted July 10, 2019)

Homer Philbeck Homer Philbeck, 89, passed away unexpectedly Sunday, June 6, 2019, at the Cancer Treatment Center of America in Newnan, GA following a series of health issues. He leaves behind his three adult children, Russell Lee Owens of Buffalo, NY, Steve Philbeck (Linda Brady) of Bloomington, IN and Lora Philbeck Ingram (Eddie) of Atlanta. He is […] — (Posted July 10, 2019)

Ron Tudor Ron Tudor, of Greenville, Ohio, formerly of Fountain City, Indiana, passed on Sunday, July 7, 2019. Ron was born November 5, 1940 in Richmond, Kentucky to the late Willie Mae and Robert Tudor. Ron is survived by his wife Dora Tudor, son and daughter-in-law Jeff and Ping Tudor of Boston, daughter and son-in-law Dennis and […] — (Posted July 9, 2019)

Carolyn Rose Highmiller Milton – Carolyn Rose Highmiller, 66, passed away at her home in Milton, Indiana, on Monday afternoon July 1, 2019. A daughter of the late Samuel and Faye (Morris) Morris, Carolyn was born in Milan, Indiana, on October 24, 1952. Carolyn was raised in the Milton community and graduated from Lincoln High School in Cambridge […] — (Posted July 9, 2019)

Alan Lee Knollman Alan Lee Knollman went home to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on July 4, 2019. He passed away peacefully at Eskenazi Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana, surrounded by his loving family. Alan got his eternal freedom on the same day we celebrate our country’s freedom and birth. Alan was born on June 3, […] — (Posted July 9, 2019)

Dr. John M. Voges Dr. John M. Voges, DDS, 81, of Fountain City, passed away on Sunday, July 7. He was born in Terre Haute, Indiana on September 18, 1937, to Adolph and Lenore Schultz Voges, both of whom preceded him in death. He was a 1955 graduate of Wiley High School in Terre Haute. He served in the […] — (Posted July 9, 2019)

Joyce Anne Gaddis STRAUGHN- Joyce Anne Gaddis, 72, passed away early Sunday morning July 7, 2019, at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis after a brief illness. A daughter of the late Neil and Mildred Lois (Johnson) Gaddis, Joyce was born in New Castle, Indiana on February 16, 1947. She had a lifelong passion for sports and as a […] — (Posted July 9, 2019)

Edith C. Kinder RICHMOND, Ind. – Edith C. Kinder, age 86, of Richmond, Indiana, died Monday, July 8, 2019, at Reid Health. Born September 4, 1932, in Fayette County, Indiana, to Russell Arthur and Stella Vail Young, Edith lived all of her life in Fayette and Wayne County. She was a graduate of Fairview High School. Edith formerly […] — (Posted July 9, 2019)

Mary L. Rodgers RICHMOND, Ind. – Mary L. Rodgers, age 90, of Richmond, Indiana, died Sunday, July 7, 2019, at Forest Park Health Campus surrounded by her family. Born March 2, 1929, in Richmond, Indiana, to John and Mildred Estridge Clements, Mary was a life-long resident of Richmond. She was a 1947 graduate of Richmond High School. Mary […] — (Posted July 9, 2019)

Holly Lynn Guffey LEWISVILLE – Holly Lynn Guffey, 45, passed away Friday evening July 5, 2019, due to injuries received from an automobile accident. Holly was born in New Castle, Indiana, on August 5, 1973. She graduated from Tri High School with the class of 1992 where she was on the varsity cheerleading squad. She worked as a […] — (Posted July 8, 2019)

Sherrie Lee (Oakley) Arzola Sherrie Lee (Oakley) Arzola, 57, passed away at home on July 4, 2019. Sherrie was born to Richard A. and Melody L. (Gwinn) Oakley on June 18, 1962, in Richmond, Indiana. Sherrie graduated from Richmond Senior High School in 1980. She graduated Ivy Tech Community College in 2006 with an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration […] — (Posted July 7, 2019)

Tyler Michael McGovern Tyler Michael McGovern, 2, passed away in his mother’s arms on July 3, 2019, at Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis following a severe injury. Tyler was born on June 16, 2017, to his beloved mother Jennifer M. Arnold, Grandson of Mark and Debbie Watson, Nephew of John and Jamie Williams, Michelle Arnold and John […] — (Posted July 7, 2019)

Rauslynn Marsene Platt Rauslynn Marsene Platt, born on March 23, 1975 in Richmond, Indiana to Reginald and Naomi White, gained her wings on July 3, 2019. Raus lived in Richmond, Indiana most of her life until moving to Bridgeport, Ohio 6 years ago. Raus had a very loving and giving heart. Raus helped in the care of in-laws […] — (Posted July 7, 2019)

Marian Ethel Ferris Richmond – Marian Ethel Ferris, age 92, of Richmond, Indiana, died Monday, July 1, 2019, at Friends Fellowship Community. Born September 17, 1926, in Wichita, Kansas, to Rex and Ethel McVicker Forster, Marian lived in Richmond for 20 years. She was a member of First English Lutheran Church. Marian enjoyed cooking and never met a […] — (Posted July 7, 2019)

James William “Jim” Bright James William “Jim” Bright, 73, of Fishers, passed away on Monday, July 1, 2019 at his home. He was born on October 3, 1945 to the late William and Mildred (Hieger) Bright in Richmond, Indiana. Jim was a 1964 graduate of Richmond High School and received an Associate’s degree in 1966 from United Electronics Institute […] — (Posted July 7, 2019)

Shirley Lee Flanagan RICHMOND, Ind. – Shirley Lee Flanagan, age 89, of Richmond, Indiana, died Friday, July 5, 2019, at Reid Health. Born December 31, 1929, in Muncie, Indiana, to Herman and Vera Hanscomb Keesling, Shirley lived in Wayne County, Indiana, most of her life. She was a 1949 graduate of Richmond High School. Shirley was a member […] — (Posted July 6, 2019)

Shirley Hunter Shirley Hunter, 83, of Connersville, passed away on Monday, July 1, 2019, at Reid Health in Richmond. She was born on April 19, 1936, in Greensfork, Indiana, and is the daughter of Carl and Louise Simpson. She married Everett “Gene” Hunter on April 27, 1957, in Connersville at Grand Avenue United Methodist Church. Shirley retired […] — (Posted July 5, 2019)

Naomi Irene Sutherland NOBLESVILLE, Ind. – Naomi Irene Sutherland, age 86, formerly of Richmond, Indiana, died Wednesday, July 3, 2019, at Riverview Hospital in Noblesville, Indiana. Naomi was born February 15, 1933, in Canton, Illinois, to John Dewey and Bertha Mae Lillie Stufflebeam. She was a 1950 graduate of Canton Union High School and a 1954 graduate of […] — (Posted July 5, 2019)

Thaddeus W. “Ted” Melerowicz Thaddeus W. “Ted” Melerowicz, 69, of Cambridge City, Indiana, passed away on July 3, 2019. He was born in Germany on May 20, 1950. He lived most of his life in Detroit, Michigan, and moved to Indiana in 2005. Ted was proud to have worked at Country Mark and he loved his co-workers and customers […] — (Posted July 3, 2019)

Doris Marie Marcum RICHMOND, Ind. – Doris Marie Marcum, age 91, of Richmond, Indiana, died Tuesday, July 2, 2019, at Reid Health. Born December 14, 1927, in Eaton, Ohio, to Jack and Martha Emerick Calloway, Doris lived in Richmond most of her life. She was a 1945 graduate of Eaton High School. Doris attended Hillcrest Baptist Church. Survivors […] — (Posted July 3, 2019)

Kent Edward Marshall Kent Edward Marshall, 57, of Pollocksville, NC went to be with the Lord on Saturday, June 29th, 2019 around 2 pm in the comfort of his home surrounded by his family after a hard-fought battle with cancer. Kent was a native of Straughn, IN and travelled across the United States with his family during his […] — (Posted July 3, 2019)

Paul Maynard “Ratchet” Whittaker RICHMOND, Ind. – Paul Maynard “Ratchet” Whittaker, age 89, of Richmond, Indiana, died Tuesday, July 2, 2019, at Reid Health. Born April 26, 1930, in Richmond, Indiana, to Merritt Lee and Gertrude Margaret Blue Whittaker, Paul was a life-long resident of Wayne County, Indiana. He was a 1948 graduate of Centerville High School. Paul served […] — (Posted July 2, 2019)