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.

Michael Dean Heacox RICHMOND: Michael Dean Heacox, 50, of Richmond, died Wednesday, October 9, 2019. He was born in Richmond on June 2, 1969, to John B. and Sharon (Thalls) Heacox. Mike was a 1988 graduate of Hagerstown High School. He hated Indiana Winters and spent 28 years living in the south, mainly Louisiana and Arkansas. While there, […] — (Posted October 13, 2019)

Dorothy Louise “Dotty” Guffey Dorothy Louise “Dotty” Guffey, age 69, a New Castle resident, passed away Thursday, October 10, 2019 at Indiana University Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. She was born September 23, 1950 in Evansville, IN a daughter of the late William and Dorothy Viola Ayers Gerhart. She had resided in New Castle most of her life and was […] — (Posted October 13, 2019)

Yvonna (Ryan) Palmer Yvonna (Ryan) Palmer, age 96, passed away on Tuesday (October 8, 2019) at her home in Vandalia, Michigan. She was born on April 28, 1923, in Boston, Indiana to Dennis and Eva Austerman Ryan. She graduated from Webster High School in 1941 and then attended Richmond Business College. She retired from Pullman Standard in Hammond, […] — (Posted October 13, 2019)

Freida Jeannette McCord Bates CENTERVILLE, Ind. – Freida Jeannette McCord Bates, age 80, of Centerville, Indiana, a beloved mother and grandmother, peacefully went home to be with her Lord Jesus and other family members and friends Friday, October 11, 2019, at her home. Freida passed away from this life to her eternal life surrounded by her children and grandchildren, […] — (Posted October 13, 2019)

Jeremy Lee Hicks Jeremy Lee Hicks, 38, passed away at his home in Spiceland on Wednesday morning, October 9, 2019 after a long fight with cancer. Jeremy is survived by his wife of 15 years, Shannon (Hawks) Hicks; daughters Samantha Hicks and Karly Underwood (husband: Jake); parents Joe and Debbie Hicks; and granddaughter Avery Underwood. Meeting Jeremy Hicks […] — (Posted October 11, 2019)

Jeffery A “Fred” Pearson Jeffery A “Fred” Pearson, age 62, a New Castle resident passed away on Tuesday October 9, 2019, at Henry Community Health. He was born October 28, 1956 in Muncie a son of the late Paul E and Lesta Irene Bartlett Pearson. He was a Henry County resident most of his life and a 1977 graduate […] — (Posted October 11, 2019)

Laurence E. “Larry” Brees Laurence E. “Larry” Brees, age 92, of Straughn, died Tuesday (October 8, 2019) at his home. He was born on February 24, 1927 in Knoxville, Iowa, to Carl and Althea Brees. He served in the US Army in Germany at the end of World War II. He worked and retired from Budd Plant in Lake […] — (Posted October 11, 2019)

Greely B. Dishman Greely B. Dishman, 91, of New Castle passed away Tuesday, October 8, 2019 at Henry Community Health. He was born December 19, 1927 in Monticello, KY, a son of the late Watt and Maudie Dishman. Greely started working in the logging industry in Kentucky at a very young age. He worked for Perfect Circle and […] — (Posted October 11, 2019)

Charlie Suttles Charlie Suttles, 58, of Centerville, passed away on Wednesday Oct. 9, 2019, at IU University Health in Indianapolis. He was born on Oct. 25, 1960 in New Castle to Shorty and Susanne (Lamb) Suttles. Charlie graduated from Tri-High in 1979. He married Karla Barnhizer on May 1, 1983. Charlie and Karla enjoyed riding his Harley […] — (Posted October 10, 2019)

Wade Jones RICHMOND, Ind. – Wade Jones, age 71, of Richmond, Indiana, died Wednesday, October 9, 2019, at his home surrounded by his family. Born October 5, 1948, in Manchester, Kentucky, to Paul and Virginia Hacker Jones, Wade lived in Richmond most of his life. He retired from Wayne Works after more than 30 years of service. […] — (Posted October 10, 2019)

Joel Stewart Beavins Joel Beavins, beloved husband of Jill (Rader) Beavins and father of Emma and Ellie Beavins, passed away suddenly on Sunday, October 6, 2019 at age 48. Joel was born on April 20, 1971, to Joel Beavins Sr. and Dana (Richardson) Leas in Greenville, Ohio. He married Jill Rader in 1995 in Carmel, IN, she survives. […] — (Posted October 9, 2019)

James “Jimmy” Elmer Shuminoff James “Jimmy” Elmer Shuminoff, age 57, passed away at Reid Health on October 7, 2019. He was born October 13, 1961, to James and Ida Shuminoff in Fredericksburg, Virginia. He resided in Richmond all of his life. He enjoyed shooting pool, playing cards and working Sudoko puzzles. He was an avid collector of GI Joe’s […] — (Posted October 9, 2019)

Willard Gordon “Poppy” Britton Willard Gordon Britton “Poppy,” 95, of Richmond, Indiana passed away early Tuesday morning October 8, 2019, surrounded by the presence and spirit of his family at Golden Living Center in Richmond. One of five children of Bertha E. Clark and George A. Britton, Willard was born in Union County, Indiana on January 25, 1924. He […] — (Posted October 9, 2019)

Martha Elizabeth ‘Liz’ Arnold Liz Arnold, 77, of Richmond, Indiana passed away on October 8, 2019 from a short illness at Forest Park Health Campus, surrounded by her loving family. She was born on September 26, 1942 in Richmond to Virgil and Ruth Lind. Liz was a life-long resident of Richmond, Indiana. She was a paraprofessional at CR Richardson […] — (Posted October 9, 2019)

Robert L. “Bob” Bullock Robert L. “Bob” Bullock, 61, of Williamsburg, Indiana, passed away on October 5, 2019 at the Dayton VA Hospice Center after a hard-fought battle with Melanoma. Bob was born on December 18, 1957 in Richmond, Indiana to O.D. Bullock and the late Phyllis Jean Kohr Suthard. Bob attended Northeastern and Richmond Schools, and graduated from […] — (Posted October 8, 2019)

Kerry Lee Voland Kerry Lee Voland, age 69, passed away at Golden Living Center-Golden Rule Nursing Home on October 7, 2019. He was born October 7, 1950, to George and Billie Jean Voland in Gas City, Indiana. Kerry enjoyed NASCAR, watching the Colts play football, MMA and his orange GMC Sierra truck. He is survived by his wife: […] — (Posted October 8, 2019)

Nancy J. Hammond Nancy J. Hammond, 83, of Cambridge City, passed away on October 7, 2019 at Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie, IN after a long battle with cancer. She was born on August 27, 1936 in Centerville, IN to Ralph and Trecy Jenkins and had lived most of her life in the Wayne County area. After graduation […] — (Posted October 8, 2019)

Susanne I. “Sue” Lahrman RICHMOND, Ind. – Susanne I. “Sue” Lahrman, age 95, of Richmond, Indiana, died Sunday, October 6, 2019, at Brookdale Richmond. Born May 31, 1924, in Richmond, Indiana, to Lawrence M. and Eleanor Vogelman Rohe, Sue was a life-long resident of Richmond and Hagerstown, Indiana. She graduated from Richmond High School in 1942 and was a […] — (Posted October 8, 2019)

Rosalie Walcott RICHMOND, Ind. – Rosalie Walcott, age 79, of Richmond, Indiana, died Sunday, October 6, 2019, at her daughter’s home. Born December 14, 1939, in Dayton, Ohio, to Charlie and Bertha Bremer Schindler, Rosalie lived in Richmond most of her life. She earned an associate degree from PJ’s College of Cosmetology in Richmond. Rosalie worked as […] — (Posted October 8, 2019)

Max L.J. Dillon Max L.J. Dillon, age 31, of Richmond, died unexpectedly Saturday afternoon (October 5, 2019) at Reid Health. He was born on October 26, 1987, in Richmond to Max A. and Tammy Brown Dillon and had lived here all of his life. He had worked as a contractor and in various factory positions. He loved his […] — (Posted October 8, 2019)

Nancy E. Adkins Nancy E. Adkins passed away October 3, 2019. She was born September 24, 1935, in Richmond to Robert Edwin and Martha Harter Groff and has been a lifelong resident of Richmond. In 1954, Nancy entered the Holy Cross Central School of Nursing, South Bend and received her RN degree and license. She practiced nursing for […] — (Posted October 5, 2019)

Barbara J. Portzline Barbara J. Portzline, 77, of Richmond passed away October 3, 2019 at Arbor Trace after a brief illness. She was born August 8, 1942, in Richmond to J. Howard and Agnes Elliott McConaha and lived here all her life. She was a beloved member of First English Lutheran Church, where she was Servant Core Coordinator. […] — (Posted October 5, 2019)

Richard F. Longer Jr. RICHMOND, Ind. – Richard F. Longer Jr., age 77, of Richmond, Indiana, died Friday, October 4, 2019, at Reid Health. Born February 4, 1942, in Richmond, Indiana, to Richard F. Sr. and Carol E. Winn Longer, Dick was a life-long resident of Richmond. He was a 1961 graduate of Richmond High School. Dick served in […] — (Posted October 5, 2019)

Christine E. Hatley McCallister Helms RICHMOND, Ind. – Christine E. Hatley McCallister Helms, age 88, of Richmond, Indiana, died Saturday, October 5, 2019, at Reid Health. Born June 10, 1931, in Kentucky, to Jesse and Viva Mae Collins Hatley, Christine moved to Richmond 40 years ago from Virginia Beach, Virginia. She retired from Huffy Corporation after many years of service. […] — (Posted October 5, 2019)

Thomas E. Bond Thomas E. Bond, age 94, of Richmond, Indiana, died Thursday, October 3, 2019, at Forest Park Health Campus. Born September 7, 1925, in Rock Castle County, Kentucky, to John Y. and Mary McCracken Bond, Thomas was a resident of Richmond since 1943. He was a U.S. Army veteran, having served during World War II. Thomas […] — (Posted October 5, 2019)

Walker L. West Walker L. West age 64, passed away at his residence on October 2, 2019. He was born March 7, 1955, to William and Sally West in Richmond, Indiana. Walker had lived in Wayne County all of his life and was a truck driver for many years. He enjoyed going to the Tally Ho Pub and […] — (Posted October 5, 2019)

Betty Jett LEWISVILLE – Betty Jett, 82, of Lewisville passed away Monday afternoon September 30, 2019, at I.U. Ball Hospital in Muncie, Indiana. A daughter of the late Fred and Frances (Hankins) Hanshaw, Betty was born in Berkley, West Virginia, on March 14, 1937. No services are planned at this time. Marshall & Erlewein Funeral Home has […] — (Posted October 4, 2019)

Norma F. Shewman Norma F. Shewman, 94, of Richmond, passed away on Wednesday, October 2. Norma was born in Fountain City on May 1, 1925, the daughter of Floyd and Myrtle Belle Waddell Dunham. She graduated from Fountain City High School in 1943. She married Robert L. Shewman on her 18th birthday, May 1, 1943. They shared 70 […] — (Posted October 3, 2019)

Sheila Marie Andrews RICHMOND, Ind. – Sheila Marie Andrews, age 41, of Richmond, Indiana, died Sunday, September 29, 2019, at Castleton Health Care Center. Born March 21, 1978, in Richmond, Indiana, where she was raised by her parents Clarence Swain Sr. and Natalie Sue Bartel-Andrews Swain, Sheila was a life-long resident of Richmond. She was a 1997 graduate […] — (Posted October 3, 2019)

Dorothy E. Young Dorothy E. Young, 91, of New Paris, Ohio passed away on Wednesday, October 2, 2019, at the Brethren Retirement Community in Greenville, Ohio. She was born on May 25, 1928, in West Manchester, Ohio to the late Russell and Edith (Kesler) Rhoades. In addition to her parents, Dorothy was preceded in death by her husband […] — (Posted October 3, 2019)