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.

Ruth Alma (Risch) Thompson Ruth Alma (Risch) Thompson, age 93, died March 16, 2018. Ruth was a longtime resident of Wayne County. She was born in Dearborn County on July 3rd, 1924, to Harry and Alma Risch. She grew up with five loving siblings: Dorothy (Werner), Robert “Bob”, Melvin, Viola (Sherwood) and Paul Risch. Ruth was united in marriage […] — (Posted March 21, 2018)

Marie Frame Davis Mrs. Marie Frame Davis, 87, of Williamsburg, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, March 18 at Friends Fellowship Community. Words often used to describe Marie are “kind, gentle, and loving”. She consistently lived a life of gratitude and appreciation. The staff at Friends Fellowship frequently echoed this as well and shared she […] — (Posted March 21, 2018)

Julia K. Logston Julia K. Logston, 84, of Richmond, IN entered into the presence of her Lord and Savior on Thursday, March 15, 2018. She was born April 18, 1933, in New Castle to Oville and Juanita Armstrong. In 1952 she married Jim Logston. To this 25-year union was born four children; Cindy, Gary, Phil, and Jamie. She […] — (Posted March 21, 2018)

Gary D. Retz NEW CASTLE- Gary D. Retz, 71, of rural New Castle, passed away Monday afternoon March 19, 2018 at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. A son of the late Charles D. and Roberta S. (Stover) Retz, Gary was born in New Castle, Indiana on December 26, 1946. He lived most of his life in Henry County and […] — (Posted March 21, 2018)

Carolyn D. Brandes RICHMOND, Ind. – Carolyn D. Brandes, age 97, of Richmond, Indiana, died Sunday, March 18, 2018, at Ambassador Healthcare. Born October 24, 1920, in Beshka, Yugoslavia, to Jacob and Theresa Dietrich Demand, Carolyn moved to this community in 2009. She was a graduate of West Tech High School in Cleveland, Ohio, and attended Dyke Business […] — (Posted March 21, 2018)

Olive Rhea Risch CAMBRIDGE CITY- Olive Rhea Risch, 88, passed away Wednesday evening March 14, 2018 at Premier Healthcare in Connersville. A daughter of the late Ray and Eva Pearl (Morris) McElfresh, Olive Rhea was born in Fayette County, Indiana on May 28, 1929. She was a 1947 graduate of Bentonville High School. Olive Rhea was a member […] — (Posted March 16, 2018)

Janice M. Dickerson Janice M. Dickerson, 80, of New Castle passed away Friday, March 09, 2018 at Heritage House in New Castle. She was born on September 3, 1937 in Straughn, IN, a daughter of the late Cecil and Bertha (Custer) Derrickson. Janice was a 1955 graduate of Straughn High School. Never afraid of work, Janice worked hard […] — (Posted March 14, 2018)

Paul Ray Young Jr. Paul Ray Young Jr., 49, of New Lisbon, passed away unexpectedly Sunday, March 11, 2018 due to injuries sustained in an automobile accident. He was born July 27, 1968 in New Castle, a son of Paul Ray and Connie (Hays) Young. A 1987 graduate of Hagerstown High School, he also graduated from NBC Tech in […] — (Posted March 14, 2018)

Rufus Earl Hayes Rufus Earl Hayes, age 79, of Centerville, Indiana, died Tuesday, March 13, 2018, at Reid Health. Born November 18, 1938, in Jackson, Kentucky, to Lacy and Katherine Johnson Hayes, Earl lived in Wayne County most of his life. He owned the former Hayes House restaurant in Fountain City, Indiana, during the 70s and delivered The […] — (Posted March 13, 2018)

Pearl Marie Green Pearl Marie Green, age 84, of Richmond, Indiana, died Sunday, March 4, 2018, surrounded by her loving family at Glen Oaks Health Campus in New Castle, Indiana. Born April 25, 1933, in Morehead, Kentucky, to Joe and Viola Pettit McBrayer, Pearl had lived in this community since 1972. She was co-owner with her husband and […] — (Posted March 13, 2018)

Lenora G. Irvin Lenora G. Irvin, age 100, formerly of Cambridge City, passed away on Sunday, March 11, 2018 in Rome, Georgia. She was born on October 4, 1917 in Linton, IN to Shelby and Ina (Fulk) Potter. Lenora and her late husband, Charles N. Irvin, Sr. DDS, were married for 68 years and enjoyed a wonderful life […] — (Posted March 12, 2018)

Malcolm R. “Mike” Fulton CENTERVILLE, Ind. – Malcolm R. “Mike” Fulton, age 92, of Centerville, Indiana, passed away peacefully with his family at his side on Thursday, March 8, 2018. Born July 26, 1925, in Abington, Indiana, Mike was the oldest of five children born to Clarence Ray and Doris Ethel Lemmons Fulton. He graduated from New Washington High […] — (Posted March 9, 2018)

Mary Carolyn Harrell Mary Carolyn Harrell, age 91, passed away on March 7, 2018 at Friends Fellowship Community where she resided. Mary was born on January 14, 1927 in New Paris, OH to Harvey and Agnes (Brown) Haller. She graduated from Jefferson Township High School, New Paris, OH in 1945. Mary married George Harrell on October 16, 1948. […] — (Posted March 9, 2018)

Joyce Elaine Harter Joyce Elaine Harter, age 88, of Richmond, Indiana, died Monday, March 5, 2018, at Forest Park Health Campus. Born February 18, 1930, in Richmond, Indiana, to Joseph Albert and Helen A. Wiggans Runyon, Joyce was a life-long resident of Richmond. She was a 1948 graduate of Richmond High School. Joyce retired after 25 years as […] — (Posted March 7, 2018)

Betty Janice Newman Benner Mrs. Betty Janice Newman Benner, 95, of Fountain City, passed away peacefully on Tuesday morning, March 6, at Brookdale Richmond. She was born on April 11, 1922 in Fountain City, Indiana to James Howard and Frances J. Berry Newman and was a 1940 graduate of Whitewater High School. She was united in marriage to John […] — (Posted March 7, 2018)

James Massey James Massey, 35, of Centerville, Indiana passed away on March 2, 2018. He was born April 3, 1982, in Richmond, Indiana to Jesse Massey and Sherrill Smith. James grew up in Centerville and was a self-employed tree trimmer/cutter. He loved to fish and hunt. He had a love for children and animals. He leaves to […] — (Posted March 6, 2018)

James R. Watson James R. Watson age 77, passed away at Reid Health on Thursday, March 1, 2018. He was born on June 28, 1940 to Willie Paul Watson and Martha Watson in Centerville, Indiana. James was a self-employed mechanic. He leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife: Florence Watson; son: James (JoAnn) Watson Jr.; two brothers: […] — (Posted March 6, 2018)

Paul A. Richert RICHMOND, Ind. – Paul A. Richert, age 96, of Richmond, Indiana, died peacefully Saturday, March 3, 2018, at Arbor Trace Exceptional Senior Living. Paul was born on October 28, 1921, in York, Nebraska, to Samuel and Caroline Heiden Richert. He was raised during the great depression and served in WWII in the 78th Lightning Division […] — (Posted March 6, 2018)

Karen E. Brooks RICHMOND, Ind. – Karen E. Brooks, age 78, of Richmond, Indiana, died Friday, March 2, 2018, at Stonebrooke Rehabilitation in New Castle, Indiana. Born August 30, 1939, in Richmond, Indiana, to Donald and Ruth Haas Davis, Karen lived most of her life in Richmond. She was a 1957 graduate of Centerville High School. Karen retired […] — (Posted March 6, 2018)

Jamie Lee Cooper Jamie Lee Cooper, age 89, of Richmond, Indiana, died Sunday, January 14, 2018, at Reid Health. Born September 13, 1928, in Richmond, Indiana, to Ralph and Esther Armacost Cooper, Jamie lived in this community most of her life. She attended Richmond schools and graduated high school from Fairfax Hall Junior College in Virginia. Jamie then […] — (Posted March 2, 2018)

Sherry L. Marchbanks Sherry L. Marchbanks, age 52, of Richmond, Indiana, died Thursday, March 1, 2018, at her home. Born January 6, 1966, in New Castle, Indiana, to James and Connie Colvin Wine Sr., Sherry lived in this community most of her life. She was a 1984 graduate of Lincoln High School and earned a bachelor’s of science […] — (Posted March 2, 2018)

Ronald C. Oler Ronald C. Oler, 77, of Hagerstown, passed away on Wednesday, February 28 at Reid Health. Ron was born on November 14, 1940 in New Castle, Indiana to Ralph and Allie Cain Oler. He married the former Norma June Gamber on March 9, 1959 to begin a 55-year marriage that was blessed with four sons. Ron […] — (Posted March 1, 2018)

Roger A. Grimm RICHMOND, Ind. – Roger A. Grimm, age 82, of Richmond, died Monday, February 26, 2018, at St. Vincent Heart Center of Indiana in Indianapolis. He was a 1953 graduate of Richmond High School and a 1955 graduate of General Motors Institute. Roger served in the U.S. Army Reserve for six years. He was the Owner/President […] — (Posted February 28, 2018)

Mary Catherine Smith DUBLIN- Mary Catherine Smith, 86, passed away Tuesday morning February 27, 2018 at the Waters of New Castle. A daughter of the late Jay and Ida Mae Moffitt, Mary was born in New Castle, Indiana on May 4, 1931. A lifelong member of the Western Wayne community, Mary graduated from Lincoln High School with the […] — (Posted February 28, 2018)

Christopher M. Weston Christopher M. Weston, age 49, of Richmond, Indiana, died unexpectedly Tuesday, February 27, 2018, at his home. Born December 23, 1968, in Connersville, Indiana, to John R. and Karen E. Linville Weston, Chris was a life-long resident of Fayette and Wayne County. He graduated from Lincoln High School and attended IU East. Chris was a […] — (Posted February 28, 2018)

Robert “Bob” Morgan Robert “Bob” Morgan, 82 of Rush County, passed away on February 25, 2018, in New Castle. He was born on June 6, 1935 in Rush County to the late John and Mary (Roberts) Morgan. Bob was a 1953 graduate of Mays High School and went onto Purdue for some college. He married Shirley (Ferguson) Morgan […] — (Posted February 27, 2018)

Verdie W. Smith Verdie W. Smith, 93, formerly of the New Lisbon community, passed away Saturday morning February 24, 2018 at Reid Hospital in Richmond, Indiana. A daughter of the late Lifford and Effie (Jones) Abbott, Verdie was born in Pickett County, Tennessee on October 10, 1924. Verdie was a homemaker and widow of the late Beecher Wiley […] — (Posted February 27, 2018)

Peggy Ann Wilson Peggy Ann Wilson, 63, of Dublin passed at her home on Saturday, February 24, 2018. She was born on August 26, 1954 in Dayton, Ohio to Earl and Mae Parrott Simpson and had lived in Wayne County for many years. She was a lead trainer and waitress at Cracker Barrel for many years and recently […] — (Posted February 27, 2018)

Louis Earl Conyers Louis Earl Conyers, 81, of Union City, formerly of Hagerstown, went home to be with the Lord, Thursday, February 22, 2018, at Reid Hospital, Richmond, following a brief illness. Born November 5, 1936, near Modoc to Charles H. and M. Marguerite (Seagrave) Conyers, in a home his grandfather had built on the ancestral Seagrave farm […] — (Posted February 26, 2018)

Opal J. Robinson Opal J. Robinson age 70, went home to be with the Lord on February 22, 2018. She was born on September 7, 1947 to John and Jessie Weatherly in Richmond, IN. Opal had lived in the Wayne County area all of her life. She loved to go camping, play Bingo, and enjoyed all types of […] — (Posted February 26, 2018)