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 Phenis Michael Phenis passed away at St. Vincent Hospital, Friday, April 26, 2019, after a short illness. He was the son of Herman Phenis and Shirley Knox. He leaves behind his sisters: Janet Johnson and Teresa (Marty) Coyle, both of Richmond; nieces: Nichole (Chad) Mann and Barbara (Matt) Sullivan; nephews: Dale Croley and Collin Johnson; great […] — (Posted May 2, 2019)

Richard L. Johnson RICHMOND, Ind. – Richard L. Johnson, age 84, of Richmond, Indiana, died Tuesday, April 30, 2019, at Golden Living Center-Golden Rule. Born March 3, 1935, in Wayne County, Indiana, to Jesse and Hazel Frank Johnson, Richard was a life-long resident of this community. He retired from Haisley’s Moving Company after 40 years of service. Richard […] — (Posted May 2, 2019)

Shirley M. Wright RICHMOND, Ind. – Shirley M. Wright, age 81, of Richmond, Indiana, died Monday, April 29, 2019, at her home. Born July 21, 1937, in Richmond, Indiana, to John and Nora Hickman Wright, Shirley was a life-long resident of this community. She retired from Ernst Concrete after serving as an accountant for 20 years and had […] — (Posted May 2, 2019)

Dolores Ruth Elstro CENTERVILLE, Ind. – Dolores Ruth Elstro, age 103, of Centerville, Indiana, died Wednesday, May 1, 2019, at Forest Park Health Campus. Born February 9, 1916, in Lafayette, Indiana, to Robert and Pearl Strebe Ince, Dolores lived in Wayne County most of her life. She graduated from Morton High School. Dolores retired from Elstro Oil Product, […] — (Posted May 2, 2019)

Beulah M. Rosier Beulah M. Rosier, age 85 of Richmond, Indiana passed away on Monday (April 29, 2019) at Golden Rule. She was born on May 16, 1933, in Lexington, Kentucky to Thomas and Rosie McDaniel Moore. Beulah enjoyed life to the fullest and was a great mother. She loved to crochet, grow vegetable gardens and was an […] — (Posted May 2, 2019)

Darrell Lee Gulley Darrell Lee Gulley, 49, of Connersville passed away unexpected Monday, April 29, 2019. He was born June 4, 1969 in Connersville, the youngest of ten children of Shelby “Pete” and Ruth Ann Klemme Gulley. Lee attended both Connersville High School and the Whitewater Valley Area Vocational School where he studied welding. For over 30 years, […] — (Posted May 2, 2019)

Franco Ramasso Valacca CAMBRIDGE CITY- Franco Ramasso Valacca, 55, passed away at his home in Cambridge City on Saturday afternoon April 27, 2019. Franco was born to Italian aristocrat parents, the late Alberto and Francesca Ramasso Valacca in Casablanca, Morocco, on May 20, 1963. He came to the United States over 20 years ago and worked as an […] — (Posted May 2, 2019)

Mary E. Smith Mary E. Smith, 92, of Cambridge City, passed away on April 30, 2019, at Reid Health. She was born on April 29, 1927, in Lynn, IN the daughter of Floyd D. and Alma Marie Martz Benson. Mary loved to cook so much that no one ever left her home hungry and she was a cook […] — (Posted May 2, 2019)

Mildred E. Decker Ryan Mildred E. Decker Ryan passed away on Sunday, April 28, 2019, with family at her side, and is now at peace with her Lord and Savior. She was born November 20, 1921, to Bertie E. and Nellie Tiffany Decker of Richmond, Indiana. Mildred graduated from Richmond High School, class of 1940, which was the first […] — (Posted April 30, 2019)

Henrietta Joyce Ripberger Henrietta Joyce Ripberger, 83, of Connersville passed away peacefully on Monday morning, April 29, 2019, surrounded by her loving family at her home. One of three children of Henry David and Matilda Ann Schmidt Brunsman, Henrietta was born in Connersville on March 15, 1936. She attended St. Gabriel School and graduated from Oldenburg Academy of […] — (Posted April 30, 2019)

Gloria Lee Conn DALEVILLE, Ind. – Gloria Lee Conn, age 82, formerly of Richmond, Indiana, died Saturday, April, 27, 2019, at Miller’s Merry Manor in Middletown, Indiana. Born March 22, 1937, in Hartford City, Indiana, to Glen Eugene and Helen G. Warner Shoults, Gloria lived in Richmond most of her life. She retired from the Richmond State Hospital […] — (Posted April 30, 2019)

The Rev. Fred Hauptstueck CENTERVILLE, Ind. – The Rev. Fred Hauptstueck, age 84, of Centerville, Indiana, died Sunday, April 28, 2019, at Arbor Trace Exceptional Senior Living. Born February 7, 1935, in Dayton, Ohio, to Carl and Lottie A. Knopp Hauptstueck, Fred moved to Centerville in 1970. He retired as an ordained Priest of the New Apostolic Church in […] — (Posted April 30, 2019)

Sharon K. Dale HAGERSTOWN: Sharon K. Dale, 77, of Hagerstown, passed away in her home on Saturday, April 27, 2019. She was born in Henry County on August 28, 1941, to Willard and Doris Dale and lived almost her entire life in Hagerstown. She graduated from Hagerstown High School and Indiana Business College. She was an Inventory Control […] — (Posted April 29, 2019)

Gilbert C. “Gil” Klose RICHMOND, Ind. – Gilbert C. “Gil” Klose, age 88, of Richmond, Indiana, died Monday, April 29, 2019, at Friends Fellowship Community. Born July 2, 1930, in Chicago, Illinois, to Alfred and Elizabeth Baumeister Klose, Gil and his family moved to this community in 1961. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree from DePaul University in 1952, […] — (Posted April 29, 2019)

Mary Elizabeth Kelsey Mary Elizabeth Kelsey, 97, of Cambridge City died April 26, 2019, at The Springs Health Care Center in Richmond. Mary Lib (as known by friends and family) was born July 17, 1921, in Connersville. She was the daughter of Carl R. and Marie Mercer. She graduated from Connersville High School in 1939. She married John […] — (Posted April 28, 2019)

Carroll Max “Joe” Drake Jr. CONNERSVILLE- Carroll Max “Joe” Drake Jr., 61, passed away Wednesday afternoon April 24, 2019, at Reid Hospital in Richmond, Indiana. Joe was born in New Castle, Indiana on September 5, 1957. He was raised in the Dublin area and attended Tri High School. Joe was employed at M.E.G. in Cambridge City and also worked as […] — (Posted April 28, 2019)

Walter V. De Long RICHMOND, Ind. – Walter V. De Long, age 82, of Richmond, Indiana, died Tuesday, April 23, 2019, at Reid Health. Born August 13, 1936, in Richmond, Indiana, to Walter S. and Dorothy Melling De Long, Walter was a life-long resident of this community. He was a 1955 graduate of Richmond High School. Walter retired from […] — (Posted April 26, 2019)

Chad M. Baumer RICHMOND, Ind. – Chad M. Baumer, age 43, of Richmond, Indiana, died Thursday, April 25, 2019, at Reid Health. Chad was born on June 20, 1975, in Richmond, Indiana, and became the son of Larry J. and Bobbie Minton Baumer. He was a life-long resident of Wayne County and graduated from Northeastern High School in […] — (Posted April 26, 2019)

Richard “Dick” Hoffman LEWISVILLE- Richard “Dick” Hoffman, 82, passed away at his home on Wednesday morning April 24, 2019 with his family by his side. A son of the late Howard Fletcher and Thelma Naomi (Stubbs) Hoffman, Richard was born in New Castle, Indiana on July 8, 1936. A lifelong member of the Lewisville community, Dick graduated from […] — (Posted April 25, 2019)

Ruth A. Wills Ruth A. Wills, age 88, died April 25, 2019 peacefully at home, surrounded by her three daughters. Ruth was born September 26, 1930 to O.W. and Leatha (Cole) Lawrence and lived in the Webster Community most of her life. Ruth graduated from Richmond High School in 1948. Ruth worked as the Secretary for Whitewater Elementary […] — (Posted April 25, 2019)

Christine Lear Christine Lear, 71 passed away April 23, 2019 in her home after a long illness. She was born June 20, 1947 in Manchester Kentucky to George William and Mariam Ollie Gregory and lived here all of her life. She worked for the Richmond Baking Company, Huffy; she worked as a home health aide, she was […] — (Posted April 25, 2019)

Dillion Martez Crail Dillion Martez Crail, 26, of Richmond, Indiana passed away on April 23, 2019. He was born March 21, 1993 in Richmond, Indiana the son of Doris and Arnold Crail. Dillion lived in Richmond and attended Richmond High School, he attended Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. He was a loving father, who loved […] — (Posted April 25, 2019)

Robert F. Hughes Robert F. Hughes, age 81, of Richmond, passed away April 23rd, 2019. He was born August 4th, 1937, to Millard and Geneva Hughes in Richmond, Indiana. Robert was a JC Penney Manager for 32 years at various locations. His interests were classic cars, country music and Genealogy. He also served on the Merritt Board for […] — (Posted April 25, 2019)

Russell Wayne Greutman Russell Wayne Greutman, 56, of Milton, passed away Monday evening, April 22, 2019, at his home. Under a physcian’s care for several years, but his death was unexpected. One of four children of Arthur Russell and Datha Joy Lewis Greutman, Russ was born in Defiance, Ohio, on October 24, 1962. He graduated from Tinora High […] — (Posted April 24, 2019)

Howard O’Neal Sherrow Howard O’Neal Sherrow, 100, of Richmond, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, April 23. He was born in in Stamping Ground, Kentucky, on June 10, 1918 to Ira Norman and Stella Anna Dotson Sherrow. He was united in marriage to the former Grace Virginia Yeatts on May 27, 1939. They were blessed with four children and […] — (Posted April 24, 2019)

Myrtle F. Murphy Myrtle F. Murphy, age 83, of New Castle, Indiana passed away on April 22, 2019 in New Castle. She was born December 17, 1935 in Carter County, Kentucky a daughter of the late Rufus Isom Sr. and Madge Trumbo Isom. She retired from Sheller Globe in Union City, Indiana, after 25 years of service. She […] — (Posted April 24, 2019)

Lucius T. Miller Lucius T. Miller, 86, of Connersville, passed away on Tuesday, April 23, 2019, at Reid Health in Richmond, following extended health issues. He was born on February 12, 1933, in Bentonville, Indiana, and is the son of the late Israel Miller and Adah Green Miller. He married Sue Ann Cushing on January 22, 1955, in […] — (Posted April 24, 2019)

Mildred Ingrum Griffin Mildred Ingrum Griffin, 76, of Richmond passed away on Saturday, April 20, 2019. She was born on October 13, 1942 in Dayton, Ohio to the late Fredrick D. Lipscomb and Mildred Lohmer Lipscomb Bullock. On November 17, 1995 she married Howard Griffin in Sevierville, Tennessee. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Richmond, […] — (Posted April 23, 2019)

Regina Louise Grimes Regina Louise Grimes, age 49, of Richmond passed away suddenly on Saturday (April 20, 2019) at her home. Regina was born on June 07, 1969 to Robert E. and Wanda Falin Grimes in Mt. Vernon, Kentucky. She was a wonderful hairdresser and an amazing beautiful person that loved to spend time with her grandson. Regina […] — (Posted April 23, 2019)

Louise Ann Siefen Penney Louise Ann Siefen Penney, 88, of Fountain City, passed away peacefully in the presence of her family on Monday, April 22, in the comfort of home. She was born on July 22,1930 in Detroit, Michigan to John Forest and Inez Susan Huntley Siefen. She married James V. Penny on October 23, 1953. They raised their […] — (Posted April 23, 2019)