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.
Bryon Caldwell Bryon “Squinty” Caldwell, 48, of Cambridge City, passed away suddenly on Saturday, March 14, 2026. He was born in Connersville on August 15, 1977 to William R. and Rebecca Caldwell Smith. Bryon graduated from Lincoln High School in 1996. He loved to draw and attended Indiana University East pursuing a degree in Art, in hopes […] — (Posted March 17, 2026)
Charles Edward Hill Charles Edward Hill, 76, of New Castle, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday evening, March 15, 2026, at his home, following a courageous battle with mantle cell lymphoma. Charles was born June 9, 1949, in Hazel Park, Michigan, to the late Edward Hill and Frances (Bose) Hill…. — (Posted March 16, 2026)
Elizabeth Ann Spencer Elizabeth Ann Spencer, age 44, of Eaton, Ohio went to be with the Lord on Saturday, March 7, 2026 after an extended illness at Kettering Health Main Campus in Kettering, Ohio. Born on January 10, 1982 in Richmond, Indiana, she was the daughter of Timothy & Shirley Spencer. She was an honorable student at Eaton […] — (Posted March 16, 2026)
Tammy Jo Sparks Tammy Jo Sparks, 65, of New Castle went to her heavenly home Saturday, March 14, 2026 at her residence. She was born in New Castle September 20, 1960 to Frederick C. Ford, Jr. and Eula (Upchurch) Ford. Tammy was a 1978 graduate of Blue River High School. Throughout her career, Tammy worked at Country Acre […] — (Posted March 16, 2026)
Mary C. McKenzie Mary C. (Dishman) McKenzie, 87, of New Castle, passed away at Henry Community Health Monday morning, March 16, 2026. She was born October 8, 1939, in Waverly, OH, daughter to the late Logan and Jennie Chloe (Detillian) Campbell. A homemaker most of her life, Mary enjoyed cooking and baking and was a member of Cornerstone […] — (Posted March 16, 2026)
Buddy Bare Charles Edward “Buddy” Bare Jr., 86, of Laurel, passed away Friday afternoon, March 13, 2026, at his home. A lifelong resident of Laurel, Buddy was born November 13, 1939, the son of Charles E. Bare Sr. and Rosyln J. Mullen Bare. Buddy was a 1957 graduate of Laurel High School. On July 15, 1961, he […] — (Posted March 16, 2026)
John H. Pence John H. Pence, age 77, of Eaton, Ohio passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 14, 2026 at Hospice of Dayton. He was born September 15, 1948 in Richmond, Indiana. John graduated Eaton High School Class of 1966. He was an active member of Future Farmers of America during his high school years, enjoyed showing dairy […] — (Posted March 16, 2026)
Davena Kaye Littrell Davena Kaye Littrell, 79, a resident of New Castle passed away Friday, March 13, 2026 at Henry Community Health in New Castle. She was born April 17, 1946 in Wayne County, Indiana to Raymond D. and Margaret (Huddleston) Woolard. Davena was raised on a farm near Millville, Indiana and learned the value of hard work […] — (Posted March 16, 2026)
Jack L. “Hungry Jack” Pemberton Jack L. “Hungry Jack” Pemberton, 82, of Modoc, died March 13, 2026.Born March 23, 1943, in Jasper, Tennessee, to Clarence Milton and Geneva Lucille (Blaylock) Pemberton.Jack and his wife, Teena, owned and operated the Blue Moon Restaurant in Losantville for many years.Survivors i… — (Posted March 16, 2026)
Kirsten Mickayla Hall Kirsten Mickayla Hall, passed away at Pickerington Methodist Hospital on March 13, 2026. She was born December 28, 1991, at Reid Memorial Hospital in Richmond, View full obituary — (Posted March 16, 2026)
Linda Louise Hardwick Linda Louise Hardwick, 84, of New Castle, passed away peacefully at her residence on Friday, March 13, 2026. She was born February 22, 1942, in New Castle, Indiana, to the late Herchel and Stella (Van Meter) Nash. Linda was a1960 graduate of Walter P. Chrysler High School. She worked for many years at Brooks Canning […] — (Posted March 16, 2026)
Patricia Ann Bradford Patricia “Patty” Ann Bradford, 94, of Knightstown, passed away Saturday, March 14, 2026 at her residence surrounded by her family. She was born August 14, 1931 in New Castle to the late Kenneth and Hazel (Harvey) Armstrong. Patty was a graduate of Kennard High School and later worked for Western Electric until their closing. She […] — (Posted March 15, 2026)
Katherine Francis Stapleton Katherine Francis Stapleton passed away on March 10, 2026. Her spirit of generosity will live on. Kathy grew up in Richmond, where she cultivated a heart of compassion. She attended Richmond High School before earning her degree in Licensed Practical Nursing, dedicating her time to care for others. Kathy was a faithful member of Richmond […] — (Posted March 15, 2026)
Jack L. Pemberton Jack L. “Hungry Jack” Pemberton, 82, of Modoc, passed away peacefully at home on the evening of Friday, March 13, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. He was born on March 23, 1943, in Jasper, Tennessee, a son of the late Clarence Milton and Geneva Lucille (Blaylock) Pemberton… — (Posted March 14, 2026)
Dorothy Adelaide Muhlenkamp Dorothy Adelaide Muhlenkamp, 96, of Fort Recovery, passed away on March 13, 2026, at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born at the family home on June 13, 1929, near St. Peter, Ohio, to the late Joseph and Mary (Steinbrunner) Westgerdes. Dorothy was the last surviving member of her immediate family. On […] — (Posted March 14, 2026)
Marilyn A. Bramhall RICHMOND, IN– Marilyn A. Bramhall, age 92, of Richmond, Indiana, died Tuesday, March 10, 2026, at Reid Health. Born March 13, 1933, in Logansport, Indiana, to Earl H. and Hilda Wolller Dowell, Marilyn lived in Richmond most of her life. She was a 1951 graduate of Richmond High School and a 1954 graduate of Reid […] — (Posted March 13, 2026)
Thomas D. Powers Thomas D. Powers 76 of Connersville passed away on Friday, March 13, 2026. He was born on November 25, 1949, in Richmond to Thomas E. View full obituary — (Posted March 13, 2026)
Laura Sue Conley Laura Sue Conley of Connersville passed away on March 13, 2026, at the age of 72. Sue was born on August 9, 1953, in Connersville, View full obituary — (Posted March 13, 2026)
Lon Rice J. Lon Rice, 93, of Richmond, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, March 12. Lon was born on September 18, 1932, in New Enterprise, Pennsylvania, the son of Orange W. & Mary Margater Morgan Rice. Mr. Rice, as his students would remember him, earned a Master’s Degree in Elementary Education from Indiana […] — (Posted March 13, 2026)
Edward Russell Eck Edward Russell Eck, age 86, formerly of West Alexandria, OH, passed away at Vancrest of Eaton Health Care Center on March 11, 2026, after a prolonged period of illness and various health issues. He was born in Dayton on February 29, 1940, to Henry and Virginia (Watson) Eck.  He worked as a meat cutter for […] — (Posted March 13, 2026)
Gregory Dale Hornsby Gregory Dale Hornsby passed away on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. The family is being cared for by Riggle Waltermann Mortuary. — (Posted March 12, 2026)
Joyce Eileen Waterman Joyce Eileen (Lipps) Waterman, 89 of New Castle, passed away Thursday, March 12, 2026 at her residence. She was born February 4, 1937 in Pennington Gap, Virginia to James Earl and Nancy Golden (Kelly) Lipps. Joyce was employed at WIC in Hamilton County for several years. She had also been employed at Willits Clothing Store […] — (Posted March 12, 2026)
Merle Cowin Merle Arlene Cowin, 90, died peacefully in her sleep on Monday, March 9, 2026, while in Hospice Care. She was born on November 3, 1935 in New Castle, Indiana. Merle lived a life full of adventure and simplicity and joy. She loved camping, fishing, traveling and she embraced the outdoors with a spirit that inspired […] — (Posted March 12, 2026)
Marilyn S. Chaney Obituary Pending There are no public services. Community Family Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Send online condolences to the family via the guestbook View full obituary — (Posted March 12, 2026)
Jan Horton Jan Benjamin Horton, 85, of Milton, passed away on March 11, 2026 at Caroleton Manor in Connersville and is at home with his Lord and Savior. He was born in Radford, Virginia on November 17, 1940 to Lacy M. and Mae (Trent) Horton.  He was raised by his dad and step-mom, Gwen (Vest) Horton.  Jan […] — (Posted March 12, 2026)
Riley Rose RICHMOND, IN– Riley Rose, passed away on Thursday, March 12, 2026, at the age of 96. Riley was born in Jackson County, Kentucky on May 12,1929 to Robert (Rob) and Lillie Callahan Rose. He moved to Richmond Indiana in 1947 and started working at Johns Manville, retiring 43 years later. Riley made his home in […] — (Posted March 12, 2026)
Marzetta Combs CENTERVILLE, IN– Marzetta Combs died in the early morning hours of Saturday, March 7, 2026, at home with her son and her grandson by her side. She was born in Centerville, Indiana on July 26, 1936, to Orville and Bonnie Lamb. Marzetta lived in Centerville most of her life, graduating high school in 1954. She […] — (Posted March 12, 2026)
Freida Sharon Edwards Freida Sharon Edwards, 80, of Greenfield passed away peacefully on March 10, 2026, surrounded by family at Springhurst Health Campus. Frieda was born April 2, 1945, in Anniston, Alabama to Willliam F. and Estelle (Knighton) LaPointe. Freida was best known for her talkative personality and knew no stranger. She was a kind, loving soul who […] — (Posted March 12, 2026)
Samuel Thomas Lahanis Samuel Thomas Lahanis, age 67, of Richmond, Indiana, passed away shortly before midnight on March 7th, 2026, at Reid Hospital in Richmond with Yana and Sandie at his bedside. Samuel was born in Evansville, Indiana on February 1st, 1959, to John Samuel Lahanis and Georgia Tsoumas Lahanis. He had three sisters – Yana, Meme, and […] — (Posted March 12, 2026)
Darrell Gene Haines Darrell Gene Haines, 83, of Knightstown, passed away leaving behind a legacy of service, patriotism, and devotion to family and community. He was born August 8, 1942 in Anderson, the son of James Henley and Dorothy Kathleen Haines. A proud United States Marine, Darrell served his country with honor and courage, achieving the rank of […] — (Posted March 11, 2026)