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.
You can also learn about how to place a paid obituary in the Western Wayne News.
Peggy Bishop
Peggy Bishop, 92 of New Paris, Ohio, passed away Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at Greenbriar Care Community in Eaton, Ohio. She was born on August 1, 1933, in New Paris, Ohio, daughter of the late Robert Eugene and Esther E. (Smith) Melody. Peggy was a 1951 graduate of Jefferson Twp. High School and retired from […] — (Posted July 29, 2026)
Jackie “Jack” D. Ward
Jackie “Jack” D. Ward, 70, of New Castle passed away on Monday, July 27, 2026, at Ball Memorial Hospital in Muncie. He was born on April 3, 1956, in New Castle to the late Harold J. and Regena (Prater) Ward Sr. Jack was a 1974 graduate of Walter P. Chrysler Memorial High School. A retired […] — (Posted July 28, 2026)
Jan William Passmore
Jan William Passmore passed away on Saturday, July 25, 2026. The family is being cared for by Riggle-Waltermann Mortuary, Inc. — (Posted July 28, 2026)
Darren Alan Shelton
Darren Alan Shelton, 54, of New Castle passed away Sunday, July 19, 2026 at Henry Community Health. He was born on November 16, 1971 in New Castle to Harold Shelton and Debra Bennett. He is survived by his mother, Debra “Deb” Bennett; daughter, Marissa Shelton; grandchildren, Blaine, Mia, Gage and Kinzie; great grandchildren, Evelyn, Jayce […] — (Posted July 28, 2026)
Manuel Christian Vasquez
Manuel Christian Vasquez of Connersville passed away on Saturday, July 25, 2026, at Reid Health in Richmond at the age of 20. He was born on May 24, 2006, in Connersville, the son of Danielle Abrams Gutierrez and Jesus Vasquez. Manuel was a groundskeeper for Haspin Acres, worked in construction, and at Thrive in Batesville. […] — (Posted July 28, 2026)
Reva Pauline Mosier
Reva Pauline Mosier passed away on Sunday, July 26, 2026. The family is being cared for by Riggle-Waltermann Mortuary, Inc. — (Posted July 28, 2026)
Debra Sue Williams
Debra Sue Williams, 69 of Richmond, Indiana, passed away Saturday, July 25, 2026, at her residence. Born on December 21, 1956, in Richmond, Indiana, she was the daughter of the late Eugene and Ella Catharine (Shaeffer) Battista. Debra was a graduate of National Trail High School and was a retired bookkeeper. She worked for Irmar […] — (Posted July 28, 2026)
Richard C. Meredith
RICHMOND, IN– Richard C. Meredith, age 90, of Richmond, Indiana, died July 25, 2026, at Friends Fellowship Community. Born November 1, 1935, in Richmond Indiana, to Dr. Elwood and Helen Shugert Meredith, Richard lived most of his life in this community. He received a bachelor’s degree from Penn State University. Dick owned and operated Richard’s […] — (Posted July 28, 2026)
Matthew Wade Holliday
Matthew Wade Holliday, age 48, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, July 25, 2026. Born November 2, 1977, to Diane and William Holliday, he lived his entire life in Richmond, Indiana. He graduated from Richmond High School and worked at many restaurants, including but not limited to Chili’s and Applebee’s. He enjoyed golfing, bowling, playing Magic […] — (Posted July 28, 2026)
Rayburn “Rug” Lee Richmond
Rayburn “Rug” Lee Richmond, 64, of Carthage, passed away on July 25, 2026. He was born in Rushville on September 30, 1961, to the late Bobby and Mertie (Dyer) Richmond. Rug spent his early years attending school in Carthage until his freshman year. He was a man of many trades and talents, working at various […] — (Posted July 27, 2026)
Barbara Ann Taylor
Barbara Ann Taylor, 85, of West College Corner, passed away Sunday, July 26, 2026, at Heritage House of Connersville. A daughter of Russell and Bonnie Conner Dennis, Barbara was born on February 10, 1941, in Richmond, Kentucky. On December 24, 1957, Barbara was united in marriage to Marion Taylor in Liberty, Indiana. Mr. Taylor survives. […] — (Posted July 27, 2026)
Brian Scott Marshall
Brian Scott Marshall, 53, of Connersville, passed away Thursday, July 23, 2026 at his home. He was born May 24, 1973 in Connersville, one of four children of Rev. Tom and Judy Parrett Marshall. A graduate of Franklin County High School in 1992, he was also a graduate of Machine Trades at Whitewater Technical Career […] — (Posted July 27, 2026)
Frank E. Burnett Jr.
Frank E. Burnett Jr., 66, of New Castle passed away unexpectedly at home on Saturday, July 25, 2026. He was a truck driver for 41 years and was currently employed by Billman Trucking, New Point, IN, since February 9, 2026. Prior to working for Billman, he was employed by Jacobs Trucking in Rushville, IN for […] — (Posted July 27, 2026)
Patricia Ellen Green Phenis
Patricia Ellen Green Phenis, age 88, of Richmond, Indiana, died Saturday, July 25, 2026, at The Willows of Richmond. Born December 7, 1937, to Edith Green Byrd, Patricia lived in this community for most of her life. She enjoyed bingo, puzzle books, and playing cards. Survivors include her sons, Ronald Hammons and David Lee Phenis; […] — (Posted July 27, 2026)
Cynthia Yeager
Cynthia (Burgess) Yeager, 73, of Hagerstown, Indiana went to be with our Lord on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at her home. She was born on August 1, 1952, to Charles and Marilyn (Messer) Burgess. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She loved Jesus with all her heart and expressed that love to […] — (Posted July 27, 2026)
Ruth “Kathy” (Donovan) Smalley
Ruth (Kathy) Smalley (Donovan)November 15, 1946 – July 7th 2026Left behind to honor her memory are her children, Kristen (Jason) Middleton, Kelli Smalley, Robert (Deb) Smalley; her brother, Dennis Donovan, 7120 Port Sylvania Drive, Toledo; sister-in-law, Carol Donovan; grandchild… — (Posted July 26, 2026)
Luther Sparks
East Germantown- Luther Lyndon Sparks, passed away peacefully early on the morning of July 22, 2026. Luther was born May 4th, 1938, in Estill County, Kentucky, a son of the late Taulby and Nannie (Cox) Sparks. Luther married the former Pearl Neal on March 19th, 1960, who survives. For 30+ years Luther owned and operated […] — (Posted July 25, 2026)
Mary Jane Ritchey
Mary Jane Ritchey, 93, passed away peacefully at her home on July 24, 2026. Mary was born on December 15, 1932, in Peru, Indiana, to Beulah and Smitty Martin. She spent most of her life in Richmond, Indiana, and also enjoyed a short time living in El Paso, Texas. Mary was known for her incredible […] — (Posted July 25, 2026)
Ronald Armstrong
Ronald "Ron" Armstrong, age 79, of Greenville, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Friday, July 24, 2026, at his home. He was born on June 27, 1947, in Union City, Indiana, to the late Roy Armstrong and Olive (Larison) Oswalt. In addition to his parents, Ron was preceded in death by his stepfathers, Harry Trushel and […] — (Posted July 25, 2026)
Linda K. Leventhal
Linda K. Leventhal Born October 17, 1940 and reunited with her daughter (Lisa Harris) on July 23, 2026. She leaves behind to cherish her memory; Husband: Michael, Granddaughter: Brandi (Ryan) Sizemore, Grandsons: Rickey Porter, Justin Latham and Azylen Porter, Brother Ron (Jane) Smith along with a host of extended family. She is now reunited with […] — (Posted July 25, 2026)
Jean E. Hertel
Jean E. Hertel, 78 of Oxford, Ohio passed away on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at Vancrest Nursing Center surrounded by family. Jean was born on June 21, 1948 in Batesville, IN to William A. and Gladys Hertel. Jean grew up in the College Corner, Indiana area and graduated from College Corner High School in 1968. […] — (Posted July 25, 2026)
David Schneider
David N. Schneider, 71, of Whitewater, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by the love of his family after a brief illness. David was born on February 11, 1955, in Richmond, Indiana, to David E. and Jane Burgess Schneider Braund. He graduated from Northeastern High School in 1973 and on March 17, 1974, married the […] — (Posted July 24, 2026)
Roy A. Kouts
Roy Allen Kouts, age 75, of West Alexandria, OH passed away on Thursday, July 23, 2026 at the Kettering Medical Center in Kettering, OH surrounded by his family. He was born May 29, 1951 in Dayton, OH to the late Harold and Irene (Falldorf) Kouts. Roy graduated from Twin Valley North High School in 1969 […] — (Posted July 24, 2026)
Jim Parker
PERSHING- Jimmie Ray “Jim” Parker. 60, passed away peacefully Wednesday morning July 22, 2026 at home while surrounded by his loving family. Jim grew up in Connersville and attended school there. He had lived in Florida as a young adult and has since made his home in Pershing and Wayne County, Indiana. Jim worked in […] — (Posted July 24, 2026)
Helen Sue Purcell
CONNERSVILLE- Helen Sue Purcell, 84, passed away peacefully Wednesday afternoon July 22, 2026 at Heritage House in Connersville, Indiana. A daughter of the late Ernest and Ruth (McCradie) Jones, Helen was born in Connersville, Indiana on June 27, 1942 and attended Connersville schools. A homemaker, Ruth also worked as a waitress at area restaurants including […] — (Posted July 23, 2026)
Lola Raby
Lola K. Raby, 77, of Greenfield passed away on Sunday July 19, 2026 at Plainfield Healthcare Center. She was born on April 20, 1949 in Connersville, IN to Charles E. Sullivan and Louise (Fields) Sullivan Byrd and lived in this area most of her life. A graduate of Connersville High School class of 1968, she […] — (Posted July 23, 2026)
Mark Griffey
Mark Daniel Griffey passed away July 21st, 2026, at Reid Hospital in Richmond, Indiana after a period of declining health. Mark anxiously entered this world prematurely at a mere 1 lb 15 oz on September 2, 1975. He was born in Indianapolis, Indiana at IU Hospital to Daniel Neil Griffey and Mary Lou Market Griffey. […] — (Posted July 23, 2026)