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.

Ernia “Jean” Collett RICHMOND, Ind. – Ernia “Jean” Collett, age 80, of Richmond, Indiana, died Monday, April 8, 2019, at Reid Health. Born September 19, 1938, in Marked Tree, Arkansas, to Ernest W. and Dolly L. Bishop Kemp, Jean lived in Richmond most of her life. She formerly worked at Productivity Fabricators for 14 ½ years. Jean attended […] — (Posted April 9, 2019)

William Benton Legear William Benton Legear, age 90, of Richmond, Indiana, died Sunday, April 7, 2019, at Reid Health. Born July 21, 1928, in Disputanta, Kentucky, to Tom and Ethel Harding Legear, Bill lived in Wayne County for 72 years. He served in the Indiana National Guard. Bill formerly worked as a truck driver for Wallace Metal Products […] — (Posted April 9, 2019)

Donna Marie Wonsik RICHMOND, Ind. – Donna Marie Wonsik, age 71, of Richmond, Indiana, died Thursday, April 4, 2019, at Reid Health. Donna was born on August 30, 1947, in Bellaire, Ohio, to Charles A. and Anne Marie Slater. She worked as a veterinary assistant and pet groomer. Survivors include her husband of 49 years, Stanley Allen Wonsik; […] — (Posted April 9, 2019)

Lois A. Haynes Lois A. Haynes, age 83, of Dublin, IN, passed away on Monday, April 8, 2019, at Ambassador Health Care in Centerville. She was born at home on November 9, 1935, in Tarkio, MO to John V. and Frieda (Fuelling) Haynes and had lived most of her life in the Dublin area. Lois had been employed […] — (Posted April 8, 2019)

Lawrence “Larry” Lee Williams Lawrence “Larry” Lee Williams, 83, left for heaven on Saturday, March 6, 2019. Born September 26, 1935, to Harry and Edna Waddell Williams, Larry was a good-hearted man who liked to help people – quietly and graciously, with no strings attached. He was a rare gem who knew how to live an uncomplicated but completely […] — (Posted April 8, 2019)

Richard H. Love RICHMOND, Ind. – Richard H. Love, age 82, of Richmond, Indiana, died Saturday, April 6, 2019, at Reid Health surrounded by his family. Born December 19, 1936, in Louisville, Kentucky, to Hayward and Frances Stevenson Love, Richard graduated in 1955 from Greens Fork High School. He served four years in the U.S. Air Force, including […] — (Posted April 6, 2019)

Frederick W. “Fred” Schmitz RICHMOND, Ind. – Frederick W. “Fred” Schmitz, age 77, formerly of Indianapolis, Indiana, died Saturday, April 6, 2019, at his home. Born November 17, 1941, in Indianapolis, Indiana, to William Arthur and Vera Elizabeth Sutphin Schmitz, Fred was a 1960 graduate of Warren Central High School and attended Franklin College, where he was a member […] — (Posted April 6, 2019)

Wayne G. Todd Sr. CAMBRIDGE CITY- Wayne G. Todd Sr., 90, passed away Friday evening April 5, 2019, after a brief illness. A son of the late Wesley C. and Anna Mae (Douglas) Todd, Wayne was born near Straughn, Indiana, on June 21, 1928. Wayne served his country in the United States Army and was stationed in Okinawa, Japan […] — (Posted April 6, 2019)

Ryan Mundt BENTONVILLE- Ryan Mundt, 52, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Bentonville Friday afternoon April 5, 2019. James Ryan Mundt was born in Beech Grove, Indiana on April 16, 1966. He lived most of his life in the Bentonville community and attended Bentonville Elementary School. Ryan graduated from Connersville Senior High School with the class […] — (Posted April 6, 2019)

Phyllis A. Jackson RICHMOND, Ind. – Phyllis A. Jackson of Richmond, Indiana, died Wednesday, April 3, 2019, at Rosebud Village surrounded by her family. Phyllis was born in Richmond, Indiana, to Verlin and Mary Howard Worley and was a life-long resident of this community. She was a member of Galilean Baptist Church. Phyllis enjoyed going out to breakfast […] — (Posted April 4, 2019)

Karl Fredrick Dingwerth Elsmere, KY – Karl Fredrick Dingwerth, 75, died Sunday, March 31, 2019, at his home. He was born March 10, 1944 in Richmond, Indiana to Alfred and Lola Mae Spotts Dingwerth and lived most of his life in Fountain City, Indiana. A 1963 graduate of Fountain City High School and a veteran of the Vietnam […] — (Posted April 4, 2019)

Robert “Bob” Hays Robert “Bob” Hays, age 64, of Richmond passed away suddenly at his home on Monday (April 1, 2019). Bob was born on October 28, 1954 to Sheldon and Cora Bond Hays in Richmond, Indiana. He was an Army veteran and after the service he worked for Workone helping others find employment. Bob was an avid […] — (Posted April 4, 2019)

Ronald D. Fairchild Ronald Dean Fairchild, 71, passed away on Sunday, April 22, 2018. He was born in New Castle, Indiana to Nilah Mae Rogers and Arvel James Fairchild. He is preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Arvel James Fairchild, Jr., a sister, Nilah Jo Fairchild and his son, Hayes Rogers Fairchild. He is survived by […] — (Posted April 3, 2019)

Mary Ellen “Granny” Robbins Mary Ellen “Granny” Robbins, 86, of Centerville died unexpectedly April 1, 2019, at Reid Health. She was born September 20, 1932, in Wells County, Indiana, to Jay and Mary Maxine Huddleston Banter and lived in Richmond and Centerville most of her life. She formerly worked as a manager of the Paul Harris Store and retired […] — (Posted April 3, 2019)

Thelma Z. Gray Thelma Z. Gray, 88, of Richmond passed away April 2, 2019 at Golden Living Center Golden Rule after a long illness. She was born December 11, 1930 in Silverville to Leo and Elsie Wagner Reynolds and lived here most of her life. She retired from the Richmond Baking Company and was member of the Fellowship […] — (Posted April 3, 2019)

Lora Baldwin Lora Baldwin, 60, from Richmond, Indiana, decided that she was tired of fighting against cancer and on her own terms passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends March 29, 2019. Born September 17, 1958 in Hartford City Indiana, Lora was the second of four daughters born to Carl and Jean Boxell. Lora grew up […] — (Posted April 2, 2019)

Paul Weston Leslie Paul Weston 82, of Dublin, went home to be with the Lord early Friday morning, March 29, 2019, at Hickory Creek Nursing Home where he had been a resident since January. He was born January 8, 1937, in Connersville, one of six children of Harley Leslie and Mary Jane Shockley Weston and was a […] — (Posted March 30, 2019)

Joan Esarey Joan Esarey, 84, of Richmond, went home to be with the Lord on Tuesday, March 26. She was born in Hamilton, Ohio on November 11, 1934 to Howard Orah and Lucille Hoyer Brady, both of whom preceded her in death. She was a 1952 graduate of McGuffey High School in Oxford, Ohio. She earned her […] — (Posted March 27, 2019)

Gilbert “Gil” Richmond RICHMOND, Ind. – Gilbert “Gil” Richmond, age 87, of Richmond, Indiana, died Sunday, March 17, 2019, at Golden Living Center – Richmond. Gil was born on June 29, 1931, in Carter County, Kentucky, to Thomas and Ida Duncan Richmond. He served in the U.S. Army 25th Signal Corps during the Korean War, but music was […] — (Posted March 27, 2019)

Michael Gene Wagers RICHMOND, Ind. – Michael Gene Wagers, age 64, of Richmond, Indiana, died unexpectedly Monday, March 25, 2019, at his home. Born January 26, 1955, in Richmond, Indiana, to Lester and Virginia L. Cox Wagers, Mike lived in this community most of his life. He retired from Milestone Contractors in 2014, after 33 years of service. […] — (Posted March 26, 2019)

Frances June “Fran” Lake INDIANAPOLIS: Frances June “Fran” Lake, 60, of Indianapolis, died Thursday, March 14, 2019, at Kindred North Hospital. She was born at Garrett, IN, on June 22, 1958, to J. William and Patricia L. (Baker) Lake. She had resided in Dayton, OH, Grand Canyon National Park and South Bend before moving to Indianapolis several years ago. […] — (Posted March 26, 2019)

Carol Carey Murray Carol Carey Murray, 78, of Aliso Viejo, California, passed away peacefully at home on February 2nd, from the complications of Parkinson’s Disease. She is survived by her loving husband, Hagerstown native Roger Alan Murray; daughter Kimberly Sams; grandson Alexander Page; step-daughter Sara Murray Gainey; step-son John Murray; four step-grandchildren Chris, Mary, Michael and Greg Gainey; […] — (Posted March 26, 2019)

Thelma Jo Anne (Stillwell) Warmoth HAGERSTOWN – Thelma Jo Anne (Stillwell) Warmoth, 85, peacefully passed away at Reid Health Hospital in Richmond on Friday January 18, 2019, while surrounded by her loving family. A daughter of the late John and Louise (Stevenson) Stillwell “Jo Anne” was born in New Castle Indiana on March 4th, 1933. She graduated from New Castle […] — (Posted March 26, 2019)

Laffanene A. Paull LEWISVILLE- Laffanene Alanes Paull, 41, passed away early Monday morning March 25, 2019 at Reid Health in Richmond, Indiana. She has been in failing health for the past two years. Laffanene was born in New Castle, Indiana on October 4, 1977. She was raised in the New Castle community and graduated from Chrysler High School […] — (Posted March 26, 2019)

Jewell M. Beaumont Jewell Marie Beaumont, 99, of Cambridge City passed away on Sunday, March 24, 2019 at Forest Park Health Campus in Richmond, IN. She was born on September 26, 1919 in Connersville, IN to Hilbert and Ethel Lory Roettger and had lived most of her life in the Cambridge City area. She was a 1937 graduate […] — (Posted March 26, 2019)

Fredrick D. Hunt Fredrick D. Hunt, 66, of Milton, IN passed away on Sunday, March 24, 2019, at Reid Hospital. He was born on July 29, 1952 in New Castle, IN to Duane and Joan Ledbetter Hunt and had lived most of his life in the Wayne County area. He retired in 2001 after thirty years at Visteon […] — (Posted March 26, 2019)

Nancy Marie Mullen CENTERVILLE, Ind. – Nancy Marie Mullen, age 72, of Centerville, Indiana, died after a short illness on Monday, March 25, 2019, at her home surrounded by her family. Born October 28, 1946, in Richmond, Indiana, to Thomas H. and Mary Catherine Featherston Williams, Nancy was a life-long resident of Centerville and Richmond. She graduated from […] — (Posted March 26, 2019)

Ashley Marie Graw Ashley Marie Graw RICHMOND, Ind. – Ashley Marie Graw, age 36, of Richmond, Indiana, died unexpectedly Saturday, March 23, 2019. Ashley was born on November 30, 1982, in Richmond, Indiana, to Dawn Toschlog and Scott Trace. Survivors include her mother, Dawn (Shawn) Ladd of Centerville, Indiana; father, Scott (Patty) Trace of Richmond; children, Chasidy White […] — (Posted March 26, 2019)

Phyllis J. Gephart RICHMOND, Ind. – Phyllis J. Gephart, age 94, of Richmond, Indiana, died Sunday, March 24, 2019, at Ambassador Healthcare. Born October 5, 1924, in Eaton, Ohio, to Lester and Mildred L. Johnston Gephart, Phyllis was a 1942 graduate of Jackson Township High School. She served as an administrative assistant to the chairman of the board […] — (Posted March 25, 2019)

Timothy Roy Spiers Timothy Roy Spiers age 49, passed away at his residence on March 19, 2019. He was born March 5, 1970, to Richard Spiers and Lela Bodiker in Richmond, Indiana. Tim was a lifelong resident of Richmond and a graduate of Richmond High School. As a teenager, Tim and his friends would break dance in the […] — (Posted March 23, 2019)