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.

Brian Kenneth Allen Gahret Jr. RICHMOND, Ind. – Infant Brian Kenneth Allen Gahret Jr. was taken to Heaven on Friday, March 8, 2019, surrounded by his loving family at Reid Health. Survivors include his parents, Luzero “Lucy” Marie Rodriguez and Brian Kenneth Allen Gahret Sr., both of Richmond; siblings, Jailyn Gahret, Luis Rodriguez, Leo Rodriguez, Jessica Gahret, Juanito Anguiano, Julio […] — (Posted March 11, 2019)

Floyd Wesley Johnson Floyd Wesley Johnson, 89, of Richmond, passed away March 8, 2019, at Golden Living Center-Golden Rule. He was born January 14, 1930 in Richmond to Jesse and Hazel Mae Franks Johnson and lived here all of his life. He served in the Army from 1947-1949. He was away from his family for two days helping […] — (Posted March 9, 2019)

Robert Lawrence Lafuze Greenwood – Robert Lawrence Lafuze, 55, died unexpectedly of a pulmonary embolism, Friday, March 1 at his home. Robert was born to Joan Esterline Lafuze and the late Ralph O. Lafuze in Richmond Indiana. Robert attended Hagerstown elementary school, Joseph Moore middle school in Richmond, Muncie Burris High School and graduated from Hagerstown High School […] — (Posted March 7, 2019)

Ronald Madison Ronald Eugene Madison, 73, of Hagerstown, died at his home on Tuesday, March 5, 2019. He was born in New Castle on September 15, 1945 to Millard and Edna (Ferrel) Madison, and was a life long resident of the Hagerstown area. Ron was a retired employee of Perfect Circle / Dana Corp. He was a […] — (Posted March 7, 2019)

Claude L. “Buddy” Mullin Jr. RICHMOND, Ind. – Claude LaMar “Buddy” Mullin Jr., age 84, of Richmond, Indiana, died Monday, March 4, 2019, at Arbor Trace Exceptional Senior Living. Buddy was born on September 20, 1934, in Richmond, Indiana, to Claude LaMar and Pearl Louise Swallow Mullin Sr. He proudly served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War. […] — (Posted March 5, 2019)

Marian J. Gilbert Marian J. Gilbert 80 of Richmond went home to the Lord March 4, 2019 at Reid Health. She was born April 7, 1938 in Youngstown, Pennsylvania to James Leroy and Margaret Clark Kelly and lived here most of her life. She retired from Goodwill Industries and enjoyed Bingo. Survivors include four daughters Donna (Jeff) Horn, […] — (Posted March 5, 2019)

Edna Mae Cooper Edna Mae Cooper, age 83, of Richmond, Indiana, died Saturday, March 2, 2019, at Golden Living Center-Golden Rule. Born October 15, 1935, in St. Louis, Missouri, to Penny Roy and Suzie Kazee Brown, Edna was a graduate of Sumner High School in St. Louis. She lived and worked in Houston, Texas, and St. Louis before […] — (Posted March 5, 2019)

Elmer Bryan “Shorty” Cowan Elmer Bryan “Shorty” Cowan, age 93, of Centerville, Indiana, died Sunday, March 3, 2019, at his home. Born August 14, 1925, in Albany, Kentucky, to Homer and Bessie Cross Cowan, Elmer lived in this community most of his life. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Elmer retired from J.M. Hutton and […] — (Posted March 5, 2019)

Teresa C. Taylor Teresa C. Taylor, of Richmond passed away on March 3, 2019. She was born April 18, 1955 in Greenville, Kentucky to Joseph Braden “JB” McAdoo and Lucy Davis Collins. Teresa retired from Chubb Insurance after 40 years of service. She is survived by her children: Stephanie (John) Eady and Braden Taylor; granddaughters: Aaryn and Alex […] — (Posted March 5, 2019)

Tyler Winfrey Tyler L. Winfrey, was born March 19, 2001 to Sam Winfrey and Anya Lear. He entered sleep February 18, 2019. He attended Richmond’s elementary, middle school and was a 12th grader at RHS. He was a member of Second Chance Ministries Church in Richmond. He was a member of Jeffers Boys and Girls Club, and […] — (Posted March 5, 2019)

Jerry Ketron Jerry F. Ketron aged 65, left the earth too soon on Wednesday, February 27, 2019. He was born on December 11, 1953 in Richmond to Frank and Francis (Masters) Ketron. He was a graduate of Richmond High School and Purdue University. Jerry loved aviation and was proud of his father’s Air Force career and service. […] — (Posted March 5, 2019)

Phil Coffman Phil Coffman, 79, passed away suddenly at his home on Friday, March 1, 2019. He was born October 8, 1939 to Alice & Harold Coffman in Fayette County. He was a 1957 graduate of Short High School in Liberty, IN where he played basketball and was involved in FFA. He earned a B.S. in Vocational […] — (Posted March 3, 2019)

Josephine J. “Peppy” Williamson Josephine J. “Peppy” Williamson, 84, currently of Centerville, passed away Thursday, February 28, 2019, at the home of her daughter. Born September 5, 1934 in Hammond, she was the daughter of John and Cena Spanich Ivko. Josephine attended Hammond Tech High School and married her high school sweetheart, James Burke Williamson, Sr. on April 24, […] — (Posted March 3, 2019)

Dr. Richard W. Siebert RICHMOND, Ind. – Dr. Richard Walter Siebert, age 87, of Richmond, Indiana, died Friday, March 1, 2019, at Friends Fellowship Community. Dick was born on October 18, 1931, in Cleveland, Ohio, son of Walter and Lillian Siebert. He graduated from West Tech High School in Cleveland before attending The Ohio State University. Dick graduated from […] — (Posted March 3, 2019)

Kenneth R. “Rick” Maurer Kenneth R. “Rick” Maurer, 38, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, February 28, 2019, at Eskenazi Hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana after fighting a courageous battle against a rare medical condition caused by a life-threatening reaction to a medication, a condition known as Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS). Rick was born on November 6, 1980, […] — (Posted March 3, 2019)

Gene C. Steffens Fountain City, Ind. – Gene C. Steffens, age 80, of Fountain City, Indiana, died Thursday, February 28, 2019, at Reid Health surrounded by his loving family. Born January 10, 1939, in Jamestown, North Dakota, to Arthur and Elenora Johnson Steffens, Gene was a longtime resident of Wayne County. He graduated from Mabton High School in […] — (Posted March 3, 2019)

Douglas A. Owens BLACK CANYON CITY, Ariz. – Douglas Allen Owens, age 57, of Black Canyon City, Arizona, died Monday, February 25, 2019, at his home. Born June 10, 1961, in Richmond, Indiana, to Robert and Elizabeth Powell Owens, Doug was a 1979 graduate of Richmond High School. He moved to Arizona 17 years ago, where he worked […] — (Posted March 3, 2019)

John P. Lester HAGERSTOWN – John Paul Lester, 65, passed away on Friday, March 1, 2019, after a long hard fight with Muscular Dystrophy. John was born on January 6, 1954 to Herbert and Bertha (Johnson) Lester, outside of Hagerstown. He lived his entire life in Hagerstown. He is survived by his son, Robert; his daughter, Kelly; a […] — (Posted March 3, 2019)

John H. Adamson HAGERSTOWN – John Harold Adamson, 90, of Hagerstown, died Thursday February 28, 2019, at Ambassador Healthcare, Centerville, with his family by his side. He was born in Redkey, Indiana, on August 20, 1928, to Earl and Maude (Shook) Adamson and lived in the Hagerstown area his entire life. He was a retired employee of Perfect […] — (Posted March 3, 2019)

Norma L. Jefferson Norma L. Jefferson, age 79, died Thursday, February 28, 2019, at Reid Health. Norma was born January 11, 1940, in Richmond, Indiana, to Roy C. and F. Alberta Williams Tye. The 1957 graduate of North Phoenix High in Phoenix, Arizona, lived most of her life in the Centerville area. Norma retired as a bookkeeper at […] — (Posted March 1, 2019)

Helen Louise Lamberson Helen Louise (Hanning) Lamberson, 93, passed away at her home in New Castle Thursday morning February 28, 2019. A daughter of the late William R. and Mary P. (Bales) Hanning, Helen was born in New Castle Indiana on March 10, 1925. She graduated from New Castle Chrysler High School with the class of 1944. Helen […] — (Posted March 1, 2019)

Willard T. “Bill” Campbell Willard Thomas “Bill” Campbell, age 82, of Richmond, Indiana, died Wednesday, February 27, 2019, at his home. Born July 12, 1936, in Richmond, Indiana, to John and Sarah Roberts Campbell, Bill was a life-long resident of this community. He retired from Richmond Baking Company. Bill was a member of Local Union 1 Bakery, Confectionery, Tobacco […] — (Posted February 28, 2019)

Jeffery Stigleman Jeffrey Steven Stigleman age 49, passed away unexpectedly on February 24th, 2019. He was born on May 7, 1969 to Richard and Judith Stigleman. He was a lifelong resident of Richmond, Indiana. He attended Holy Family, Dennis, and Richmond High School. He received his GED in 1990. He worked at Imperial Products and Swayne Robinson. […] — (Posted February 28, 2019)

John “Johnny” Q. Rose John “Johnny” Q. Rose, 54, passed away Tuesday morning, February 25, 2019, at his home in Richmond, Indiana. One of four children of Larry Wayne and Roberta Messer Rose, Johnny was born in Connersville on December 22, 1964. Johnny enjoyed fishing, listening to Hank Williams, Jr., mushroom hunting, CB tag, drinking, women, and smoking weed. […] — (Posted February 27, 2019)

John T. Myers DEBARY, Fla. – John Thomas Myers, age 76, formerly of Richmond, Indiana, died Saturday, February 23, 2019, at Halifax Hospice in Orange City, Florida. Born October 2, 1942, in Angola, Indiana, to Lester “Quentin” and Columbia Rose Wing Myers, John was a 1961 graduate of Hamilton High School and a 1965 graduate of Purdue University. […] — (Posted February 27, 2019)

Jerry A. “Jake” Huntington RICHMOND, Ind. – Jerry A. “Jake” Huntington, age 76, of Richmond, Indiana, died unexpectedly Monday, February 25, 2019. Born July 26, 1942, in Wayne County, Indiana, to Herbert C. and Mary E. McDivitt Huntington, Jake was a lifelong resident of this community. He was a 1960 graduate of Boston High School. Jake served in the […] — (Posted February 26, 2019)

JoAnn Butler JoAnn Butler, 71, of Richmond, Indiana, passed away on February 21, 2019. She was born May 9, 1947, in Xenia, Ohio. JoAnn was employed at Goodwill for over 15 years. She enjoyed cooking, crocheting, sewing, housekeeping and gardening. She is survived by her daughter: Marcie (Farron) Hampton, 3 brothers and her granddaughter Jessica Hampton who […] — (Posted February 26, 2019)

Brittany M. Balthis Brittany Michelle Balthis, age 34, passed away at Reid Health on February 23, 2019. She was born June 12, 1984, to Douglas and Kathy Cones in Richmond, Indiana. Brittany had lived in Wayne County area and was a 2002 graduate of Centerville High School. She had also attended Ivy Tech for two years. She was […] — (Posted February 26, 2019)

Ronald Edward Close Goldsboro, N.C. – Ronald Edward Close, 80, gently slipped into the arms of his Lord and Savior on Saturday, February 23, 2019, at Johnston UNC Healthcare in Smithfield surrounded by his wife and granddaughter. Ron was born on December 24, 1938 in Cambridge City, Indiana and was the son of the late Perry Edward Close […] — (Posted February 25, 2019)

Frank Blue FOUNTAIN CITY, Ind. – Frank Blue, age 81, of Fountain City, Indiana, died Monday, February 25, 2019, at his home. Born March 31, 1937, in Richmond, Indiana, to William E. and Myrl Eadler Blue, Frank was a life-long resident of Wayne County. He was a 1956 graduate of Fountain City High School. Frank served as […] — (Posted February 25, 2019)