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.
Shirley Lucille Clevenger DUBLIN – Shirley Lucille Clevenger, 74, passed away Monday, October 2, 2017 at Reid Hospital. Shirley was born May 18, 1943 in Savage (Clinton County) Kentucky to Robert and Ova (Massingale) Davis. Formerly of Connersville, she has made her home in the Dublin community since 1978. Known as the “Paper Lady” she delivered newspapers for […] — (Posted October 11, 2017)
Obituaries - Richard (Dick) Leon Baker Richard (Dick) Leon Baker HAGERSTOWN: Richard (Dick) Leon Baker, age 100, passed away on September 25th in Winter Park, Florida. He was married to Sarah (Sally) Elizabeth Wisehart, from Hagerstown. Devoted husband, father, grandfather, colleague and friend, Dick’s kindness, positive attitude and warm sense of humor will be remembered by the many lives he touched. Dick was an Army […] — (Posted October 4, 2017)
Obituaries - Charles David Lanning Jr. Charles David Lanning Jr. Charles David Lanning Jr., 68, a lifelong Rush County resident passed away Friday September 29, 2017 at St. Francis hospital in Indianapolis, IN. He was born on December 22, 1948 in Batesville, IN to Charles David and Velma Irene (Watkins) Lanning Sr. He attended Brookville Nazarene Church and Lee Wallace School until his family moved […] — (Posted October 4, 2017)
Obituaries - John W. Merkamp John W. Merkamp CENTERVILLE, Ind. – John W. Merkamp, age 63, of Centerville, Indiana, died unexpectedly Thursday, September 28, 2017, at his home. Born September 29, 1953, in Richmond, Indiana, to Kenneth and Alma Goodson Merkamp, John was a life-long resident of this community. He graduated from Centerville-Abington High School in 1971. John was a farmer. He was […] — (Posted October 4, 2017)
Obituaries - William J. Mathews William J. Mathews William J. Mathews passed away at his residence surrounded by his loving family on Thursday, September 28, 2017. He was born on June 23, 1937 to Russell and Ada Louise (Lamb) Helmsing in Richmond, Indiana. William was a graduate of Centerville High School. Following graduation, he enlisted and was honorably discharged from the United States […] — (Posted October 4, 2017)
Obituaries - Amanda Elaine Fleenor Amanda Elaine Fleenor RICHMOND, Ind. – Amanda Elaine Fleenor, age 27, of Richmond, Indiana, was promoted to Glory on Friday, September 22, 2017, at University of Cincinnati Medical Center. Born January 16, 1990, in Richmond, Indiana, to William Charles and Donna Sue Fowler Fleenor, Amanda lived in Richmond for most of her life. She was a keeper of […] — (Posted October 4, 2017)
Obituaries - Kenneth “Kenny” Rhymer Kenneth “Kenny” Rhymer CONNERSVILLE, Ind. – Kenneth “Kenny” Rhymer, Jr., 30, of Connersville, passed away Sunday, September 24, 2017. A son of Kenneth Rhymer, Sr. and Tonya Vickers, Kenny was born on September 6, 1987 in Middletown, Ohio. Kenny attended Connersville schools and was previously employed at Stant Manufacturing. He enjoyed listening to music and spending time with […] — (Posted October 4, 2017)
Esther Marie Evans Esther Marie Evans, 56, of Connersville, passed away on Wednesday, September 27, 2017 at AMG Hospital in Muncie, Indiana. She was born on September 9, 1961, in Batesville, Indiana, and is the daughter of James Mitchell and Martha Jane (Charles) Adkins. Esther was a 1980 graduate of Connersville High School. She spent her entire life […] — (Posted October 4, 2017)
Kermit Boyd Thomas Kermit Boyd Thomas, 79, died peacefully at his home, near Hagerstown, on September 1, 2017. He was born in Fortville on May 26, 1938 to John Jackson and Elsa (Rafert) Thomas. He was a graduate of Bedford High School, and received BS and MS degrees from Indiana University. He was Elementary Art teacher at Nettle […] — (Posted October 4, 2017)
Obituaries - Richard L. Baker Richard L. Baker Richard (Dick) Leon Baker, age 100, passed away on September 25th in Winter Park, Florida. He was married to Sarah (Sally) Elizabeth Wisehart, from Hagerstown. Devoted husband, father, grandfather, colleague and friend, Dick’s kindness, positive attitude and warm sense of humor will be remembered by the many lives he touched. Dick was an Army veteran, […] — (Posted October 4, 2017)
Obituaries - Bobbie Glenn “Powder Puff” Wright Bobbie Glenn “Powder Puff” Wright CAMBRIDGE CITY, Ind. – Bobbie Glenn “Powder Puff” Wright, age 82, of Cambridge City, Indiana, died Monday, September 25, 2017, at Reid Health. Born May 10, 1935, in Cumberland County, Kentucky, to Delbert and Willie Sheckles Wright, Bobbie had lived in this community since 1997. He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. […] — (Posted October 4, 2017)
Carolyn J. Durham Carolyn J. Durham, age 66, of Greens Fork, Indiana, died unexpectedly Monday, September 25, 2017, at her home. Born May 10, 1951, in Richmond, Indiana, to Henry Lee and Mary Madden Melton Jr., Carolyn was a life-long resident of Wayne County. She graduated from Richmond High School in 1969. Carolyn loved her children and grandchildren […] — (Posted October 4, 2017)
Obituaries - Tanner Jordan Russell Tanner Jordan Russell Connersville, Ind. – Tanner Jordan Russell, 20, of Connersville, passed away on Sunday, September 17, 2017 as a result of a truck accident in Connersville. He was born on December 21, 1996 in Oxford, Ohio and is the son of Latresha Russell Grubbs and Jeremy Scott Grubbs of Connersville. He was a 2015 graduate of […] — (Posted September 27, 2017)
Obituaries - Elizabeth Wilson Elizabeth Wilson GREENS FORK, Ind. – Elizabeth Wilson, age 86, of Greens Fork, Indiana, died Monday, September 18, 2017, at her daughter’s home. Born March 14, 1931, in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, to Boone Lee and Mary Sue O’Conner Reed, Elizabeth had lived in Wayne County most of her life. She worked as a charge aide at the Richmond […] — (Posted September 27, 2017)
Obituaries - Jeffrey Wayne Shera Jeffrey Wayne Shera Oldsmar, Fla. – Jeffrey Wayne Shera, 58, of Oldsmar, Florida, formerly of Laurel, passed away at 11:20 a.m. on Monday, September 11, 2017, at Suncoast Hospice, Palm Harbor, Florida. Born in Batesville, Indiana on October 26, 1958, he is the son of the late Evan “Lester” and Norma McPherson Shera. He grew up in Laurel, […] — (Posted September 20, 2017)
Obituaries - David G. Kaucher David G. Kaucher RICHMOND, Ind. – David G. Kaucher, age 74, of Richmond, Indiana, died Wednesday, September 13, 2017, at his home. Born October 11, 1942, in Richmond, Indiana, to Iris E. and Margaret E. Jarrett Kaucher, Dave was a life-long resident of this community. He graduated from Whitewater High School in 1960. Dave retired from Dana Corporation […] — (Posted September 20, 2017)
Obituaries - James W. McNew James W. McNew Richmond, IN – James W. McNew, 90, of Richmond died September 3, 2017. He was born January 23, 1927 in Wildie, Kentucky to William E. and Angie Abney McNew. He was an Army veteran of World War Two, and formerly worked at Decca Records. He co-founded McNew Cabinet Craft with his brother Homer, with his […] — (Posted September 20, 2017)
Obituaries - Donna King Donna Joan King Donna Joan King, 84, of Hagerstown, passed away on Thursday, September 14, 2017, at Henry Community Health. She was born in New Castle on December 21, 1932 to William Newton and Mary Elizabeth (Smalley) Lamb. She was a life long resident of the Hagerstown area. Donna was a member of Nettle Creek Church of the […] — (Posted September 20, 2017)
Obituaries - Delores J. Study Delores J. Study CAMBRIDGE CITY – Delores J. Study, age 87, of Cambridge City, was called home to be with her savior on Friday, September 8, 2017 at her home. She was born on March 11, 1930 in Straughn, Indiana to John and Pearl (Schneider) Humig. She was married August 26, 1950 to J. Howard Study, her beloved […] — (Posted September 13, 2017)
Obituaries - Robert Bob Pflum Robert “Bob” Pflum CONNERSVILLE, Ind. – Robert “Bob” Pflum, 79, of Connersville and the Everton area passed away Wednesday evening, September 6, 2017, at Reid Health, of Richmond, Indiana due to complications from a massive stroke. One of eleven children of Paul Anthony and Anna E. McQuinley Pflum, Bob was born on January 15, 1938, at home in […] — (Posted September 13, 2017)
Obituaries - Thomas (Tom) W. Tucker Thomas (Tom) W. Tucker LEWISVILLE – Thomas (Tom) W. Tucker of rural Lewisville died on September 1, 2017 in Greenfield, Indiana at the age of 80. His loving wife of 59 years, Nancy Sharp Tucker was at his side. He is survived by his wife and three daughters: Marilyn Owsley, Tracy Mogster and Christy Tarapore; three granddaughters: Marissa Brown, […] — (Posted September 13, 2017)
Obituaries - Michael R. Bovender, “Bo” Michael R. Bovender, “Bo” NEW CASTLE, Ind. – On September 5, 2017 Michael R. Bovender, “Bo”, found peace and comfort with his family at his bedside. A son of the late Roy and Mary Lou Bovender, Bo was born in New Castle, Indiana on March 17, 1946. A lifelong member of the Spiceland and New Castle communities, Bo was […] — (Posted September 13, 2017)
Ruthanna Riebsomer RUSHVILLE, Ind. – Ruthanna Riebsomer, 93, a long time Rushville resident passed away Saturday, September 2, 2017 in Westfield, IN. Ruthanna was born in Union County, IN on November 14, 1923 to the late Edgar C. and Cora (Conner) Robinson. She was a 1942 graduate of Short High School in Liberty. Ruthanna married Robert D. […] — (Posted September 13, 2017)
Obituaries - Mary O. Johnson Mary O. Johnson LEWISVILLE, Ind. – Mary O. Johnson, 98, passed away Monday morning September 4, 2017 at Golden Years Homestead in Fort Wayne, Indiana. A daughter of the late Fay Gilbert and Anna Marie (Pitts) Whitton, Mary was born near Mays, Indiana in Rush County on April 22, 1919. She was a graduate of Lewisville High School […] — (Posted September 13, 2017)
Obituaries - Freda Kellenbarger Freda Kellenbarger Freda Kellenbarger, 94 of Eaton, OH, died Thursday, September 7, 2017 at Greenbriar Nursing Center in Eaton. She was born on January 27, 1923 in Hagerstown, Indiana, daughter of the late Raymond and Loretta (Favorite) Heaston. Freda was a 1942 graduate of Hagerstown High School and moved to Eaton in 1950. She was a member […] — (Posted September 13, 2017)
Obituaries - Earnest Dale Kirtley Earnest Dale Kirtley Ernest Dale Kirtley, 91, of Economy, died at his home on Monday, September 4, 2017. He was born in Daleville on September 17, 1925 to Ernest and Nance (Lentz) Kirtley and lived nearly all of his life in the Economy area. Dale was a life long farmer and a member of Economy United Methodist Church. […] — (Posted September 13, 2017)
Obituaries - David M. Westover David M. Westover RICHMOND, Ind. – David M. Westover, age 39, of Richmond, Indiana, died unexpectedly Thursday, August 31, 2017. Born October 14, 1977, in Richmond, Indiana, to Richard and Kathy Roberts Westover, David was a life-long resident of Wayne County. He was an avid fisherman and hunter. Survivors include his children, Austin, Autumn, and Kaylee Westover of […] — (Posted September 6, 2017)
Obituaries - James Jimmy Estel Marcum James “Jimmy” Estel Marcum CONNERSVILLE, Ind. – James “Jimmy” Estel Marcum, 65, of Connersville went home to be with the Lord, Sunday, August 27, 2017 at his residence. He was born June 11, 1952 in Connersville, one of nine children of Estel and Joyce Feeback Marcum. For many years, he was a roofing contractor for Gentry Roofing. He had […] — (Posted September 6, 2017)
Obituaries - James Lee Carty James Lee Carty STRAUGHN, Ind. – James Lee Carty, 76, went home to be with our Lord, on Saturday, August 26, 2017. He passed away at home with his family by his side. He was born, January 25, 1941, to Homer and Velma Carty, in Straughn, Indiana. Known as “Skeeter” to his teammates, he played baseball for Straughn […] — (Posted September 6, 2017)
Obituaries - Rheita Marie Harrist Day Rheita Marie Harrist Day RICHMOND, Ind. – Rheita Marie Harrist Day, age 69, of Richmond, Indiana, died suddenly Sunday, August 27, 2017, at her home. A wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother, Rheita would light up when one of her family members entered the room. She shared her life and her children with her husband, Ron, who passed away on […] — (Posted September 6, 2017)