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.

Mary E. “Babe” Caldwell Mary E. “Babe” Caldwell, 56, of Connersville, passed away on Sunday, December 9, 2018, at Fayette Regional Health. She was born on October 12, 1962, in Connersville, Indiana, and is the daughter of the late Catherine O’Harra Caldwell and John F. Caldwell. Mary had attended Zion Tabernacle Apostolic Church. She was employed by Benchmark Services […] — (Posted December 10, 2018)

Phillip L. Behnen Phillip L. Behnen, 75, of Hagerstown, died Dec. 7, 2018, at Henry County Hospital after a lengthy illness. He was born Jan. 1, 1943, in Richmond to John and Elizabeth Chamberlain Behnen and lived in Wayne County all his life. He was a 1961 graduate of Richmond High School and a 1967 graduate of IU. […] — (Posted December 10, 2018)

Trevan James “T-Rev” Winterton Trevan James “T-Rev” Winterton 30 of Hagerstown quieted his inner chaos August 25, 2018. He was born May 23, 1988 in Richmond; he spent his years in the Nettle Creek School District and worked for SugarCreek. He enjoyed all genres of music, while he chilled out in his room and enjoyed playing video games. In […] — (Posted December 10, 2018)

Willis E. Murray Willis E. Murray, 92, of Cambridge City, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 9, 2018 at Reid Health. He was born on Feb. 1, 1926, in Cambridge City to Clark and Mary Mason Murray and had lived all his life in the area. He was a U.S. Army veteran serving in the Korean War. Willis worked […] — (Posted December 9, 2018)

Virginia B. “Jenny” Dickenson DUBLIN, Ind. – Virginia B. “Jenny” Dickenson, age 89, of Dublin, Indiana, died Friday, Dec. 7, 2018, at Golden Living Center – Richmond. Born February 19, 1929, in Wise County, Virginia, to William and Bertha Jane Poff Chandler, Jenny lived most of her life in Centerville. She retired from Pinehurst Nursing Home in 1991 as […] — (Posted December 9, 2018)

Richard Allen “Dick” Brown Richard Allen “Dick” Brown, 70, of Hagerstown, died Wednesday, December 5, 2018, at Reid Health. He was born in Fountain Inn, SC on January 30, 1948 to Paul Everett and Florence (Queen) Brown. He had resided in the Hagerstown area since 1970. Dick served with the US Army 1968 to 1970. He was a member […] — (Posted December 9, 2018)

Opal Harris Sams Opal Harris Sams, age 70, of Port Charlotte, Florida passed away peacefully on Monday, December 3, 2018 at her home. She was born in Oneida, KY, to Rich and Helen McDaniel Harris on July 13, 1948. Opal and her husband, the Reverend Marvin Sams, of 55 years, lived in Richmond, IN, for over 30 years. […] — (Posted December 6, 2018)

Alma N. Showalter Alma N. Showalter, 91, of Richmond went home to be with her heavenly Father and the rest of her family Dec. 4, 2018. She was born Dec. 23, 1926, in Richmond to Elmer and Faye Lephart Johnson and lived here all of her life. She was a member of the First Christian Church. She worked […] — (Posted December 6, 2018)

Janice A. (Longworth) Moore Janice A. (Longworth) Moore, age 77, passed peacefully at Reid Hospital on Tuesday, December 4, 2018. Born in Middlesboro, KY, to Wilburn and Leona Longworth, she was the eldest of four children. She resided in Richmond, Indiana, most of her life. She worked for various employers (Cox’s Supermarket, Blue Note Restaurant, Avco, and Wayne Works) […] — (Posted December 6, 2018)

Ruthanne Whitton Pierce LEWISVILLE- Ruthanne Whitton Pierce, 76, of Lewisville, passed away at her home on Tuesday evening December 4, 2018 while surrounded by her loving family. She was born on January 22, 1942 to the late Gerald M. and Rebecca V. (Locke) Whitton in New Castle, Indiana. Ruthanne was a 1960 graduate of Lewisville High School. She […] — (Posted December 5, 2018)

Marjorie L. Hornbrook RICHMOND, Ind. – Marjorie L. Hornbrook, age 92, of Richmond, Ind., died Thursday, Nov. 22, 2018, at Friends Fellowship Community. Born September 16, 1926, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Charles Edwin and Marie Shrawder Heywood, Marjorie lived most of her life in Dublin, Indiana, and Eaton, Ohio. She graduated from Earlham College. Marjorie retired from teaching […] — (Posted December 4, 2018)

Joseph W. Phelps RICHMOND, Ind. – Joseph Wayne Phelps, age 72, of Richmond, Indiana, passed away peacefully Friday, November 23, 2018, at his home. Born February 24, 1946, in Nashville, Tennessee, to Joseph “Joe” Phelps and Beatrice Bullard Phelps, Wayne was a resident of Richmond since 1965. He volunteered for the Centerville Youth League, where he was the […] — (Posted December 4, 2018)

Janet S. Love RICHMOND, Ind. – Janet S. Love, age 72, of Richmond, Indiana, died unexpectedly Wednesday, November 21, 2018, at Reid Health. Born May 14, 1946, in Richmond, Indiana, to Raymond H. and Ruth Anna Ringley Simmermeyer, Janet was a life-long resident of Richmond. She was 1964 graduate of Richmond High School. She worked as a telephone […] — (Posted December 4, 2018)

Leland L. ‘Lee’ Wilson CONNERSVILLE, Ind. – Leland L. “Lee” Wilson, age 90, of Connersville, Indiana, died Wednesday, November 21, 2018, at the Brethren Retirement Community in Greenville, Ohio. Born June 4, 1928, in Richmond, Indiana, to Ralph G. and Opal M. Skinner Wilson, Lee was a lifelong resident of this area. He was a 1946 graduate of Whitewater […] — (Posted December 4, 2018)

John W. Benner Mr. John William Benner, 98, of Fountain City, passed away peacefully on Saturday morning, November 24. He was born on November 6, 1920 in Richmond, Indiana to Russell and Mabel Alexander Benner. He attended Richmond High School. Mr. Benner served in the US Navy Seabees from June 23, 1943 to November 12, 1945. He was […] — (Posted December 4, 2018)

Barbara J. Woolum RICHMOND, Ind. – Barbara Jean Woolum, age 84, of Richmond, Indiana, went to Heaven to be with her Lord Friday, November 23, 2018, at her home. Born September 17, 1934, in Richmond, Indiana, to Everett Carl and Marcielle “Marte” Rupe Meyer, Barbara was a life-long resident of Richmond. She was a member of Trinity Lutheran […] — (Posted December 4, 2018)

June E. Pierson June E. Pierson, 93, of Richmond, died Nov. 21, 2018, at Reid Health. She was born June 13, 1925, in Richmond to Emil Richard and Mabel Mae Brooks Heath and lived here all her life. She retired from Kemper-Masterbrand. June enjoyed dancing, bowling, flower gardening, fishing, and being outdoors. Survivors include one son, Paul E. […] — (Posted December 4, 2018)

Jon Hitch Jon Hitch, 76, of Fountain City, passed away peacefully on Monday, December 3, in the comfort of his home. He was born in in Crawfordsville, Indiana on January 24, 1942 to Herbert and Virginia Armstrong Hitch, both of whom preceded him in death. Jon was raised in the area of Bainbridge, Indiana and attended Butler […] — (Posted December 4, 2018)

Benjamin A. “Ben” Grewe Benjamin A. “Ben” Grewe, 77, of Cambridge City passed away on December 1, 2018 at Reid Health in Richmond, IN. He was born on August 8, 1941 in West City, IL the son of Arthur and Mary (Horn) Grewe and was a 1959 graduate of Connersville High School. He attended Lane Technical Institute in Indianapolis. […] — (Posted December 4, 2018)

Benjamin A. ‘Ben’ Grewe Benjamin A. “Ben” Grewe, 77, of Cambridge City passed away on Dec. 1, 2018, at Reid Health in Richmond, Ind. He was born on August 8, 1941, in West City, Ill., the son of Arthur and Mary (Horn) Grewe and was a 1959 graduate of Connersville High School. He attended Lane Technical Institute in Indianapolis. […] — (Posted December 3, 2018)

William E. ‘Bill’ Russell RICHMOND, Ind. – William E. “Bill” Russell, age 67, of Richmond, Indiana, died Sunday, December 2, 2018, at The Springs of Richmond. Born July 21, 1951, in Richmond, Indiana, to David E. and Marjorie J. Hudson Russell, Bill was a life-long resident of this community. He retired from the Richmond Fire Department in 1998, after […] — (Posted December 3, 2018)

David S. Short David Samson Short, 35, of Winchester, passed away on Tuesday, November 27, 2018, at IU Health Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. He was born in Winchester, on December 30, 1982, to David A. Short and Wanda Hardesty. David was a 2001 graduate of Richmond High School. He worked at the Richmond State Hospital, the US Golf […] — (Posted December 3, 2018)

Olive Pauline Blankenship On Friday evening, November 30, 2018, following a well-lived life, Olive Pauline Blankenship left this earthly place. The daughter of William Edward and Anna Florence Dewitt Little, she was born in Rowan County Kentucky Aug. 6, 1938. She lived many places during the first sixteen years of life, and in addition to Hagerstown where she […] — (Posted December 3, 2018)

Harold E. Roosa Jr. Harold Eugene Roosa, Jr., age 86, a resident of Paola, Kansas, passed away Thursday, November 22, 2018, at the North Point Skilled Nursing Center in Paola. He was born August 14, 1932, in Dublin, Indiana, the son of Harold E. Roosa and Edna J. Mochel Roosa. Harold served with the United States Army from 1952 […] — (Posted December 3, 2018)

Helen Louise (Irvine) Thorn A national treasure our beautiful mother Helen Louise Irvine Thorn, 93, passed away peacefully in her beloved town of Lynn IN, Thursday, November 22, 2018, surrounded by her children. She was born May 13, 1925 in Hollansburg, OH, the daughter of Harry and Anna M. (Teaford) Irvine. Helen enjoyed working as an Avon Representative. She […] — (Posted December 3, 2018)

Flora England Flora England, 91, resident of Mt. Summit, Ind. passed away Friday, Nov. 30, 2018. She was born March 3, 1927 in Morehead, Kentucky, a daughter of the late Andrew Jackson and Margaret Jane Davis Lewis. She was a resident of Mt. Summit for most of her life and was retired from Modernfold Industries in New […] — (Posted December 3, 2018)

Elizabeth S. Graffis This is to announce a change of address for Elizabeth S. (Betty) Graffis due to Cancer. Betty left her home on October 17, 2018, at age 84. She had resided at the same address with her husband Tom for 51 of their 65 years of marriage. She raised two daughters, giving them consistent love through […] — (Posted December 3, 2018)

Dana D. Daniels Dana D’Ann Parkhurst Daniels, 48, was called home to her heavenly father on November 27, 2018, after a long battle with cancer. Dana was born on October 17, 1970, in Richmond, a daughter of David and Nancy. She graduated from Centerville High School in 1988 and graduated from Ivy Tech in 1995 with an Associate’s […] — (Posted December 3, 2018)

Emma D. Mendenhall Emma Delores Mendenhall, 56, passed away at her residence surrounded by her loving family on Monday, Nov. 26, 2018. She was born Nov. 30, 1961, to Harold and Betty Jenkins in Kokomo, Ind. Emma had lived in Richmond most of her life. She loved to cook for her family and friends. She also loved to […] — (Posted December 3, 2018)

Gina Sue Kime Gina Sue Kime, age 53, of Centerville, left this earth peacefully on Nov. 29, 2018. She was born to Gene W Plemons Sr. (deceased) and Carol Sue Morris Borden on Jan. 25, 1965, in Richmond. She attended both Centerville and Richmond community schools. She enjoyed reading and watching movies. She loved spending precious time with […] — (Posted December 1, 2018)