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.

Annabelle Mills Roberts Annabelle Mills Roberts, 72, of Connersville, passed away on Thursday, August 6, 2026, at her residence. One of ten children of the late Franklin and Cleo Earl Mills, Annabelle was born in Connersville, Indiana, on February 8, 1954, and was a lifelong resident of Connersville. She graduated from Connersville High School with the class of […] — (Posted August 7, 2026)

Ruth Ann Saxon Ruth Ann Saxon passed away with family by her side on August 3, 2026, at her home at the age of 89. Ruth Ann was born in Connersville, Indiana on December 11,1936. She is the daughter of the late Harry E. and Helen Ann (Strothman) Strait. At St. Bridgets Catholic Church in Liberty, Ruth Ann […] — (Posted August 7, 2026)

Paul R. Hoke Paul Randall Hoke, age 72, of Trotwood, Ohio passed away on August 3, 2026. He was born August 16, 1953 in Dayton, Ohio to the late Ray and Mildred (Maples) Hoke. Paul retired as a car detailer from Joseph Airport Toyota in Vandalia, Ohio. He loved to go camping and fishing. In addition to his […] — (Posted August 6, 2026)

Larry Gene “Jaws” Lye Larry Gene “Jaws” Lye, 79, a resident of New Castle passed away Wednesday, August 5, 2026 at St. Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis. He was born April 30, 1947 in New Castle to the late Marvin and Carolyn (Holaday) Lye. A 1965 graduate of Chrysler High School, Larry retired from Delphi division of General Motors, Anderson […] — (Posted August 6, 2026)

Paul D. Myers Paul D. Myers, age 96 of Richmond, Indiana joined the Lord on Thursday August 6, 2026. He was born October 6, 1929 in Convoy, Ohio and was the son of Paul D. Myers and Lillian V. Myers. Paul is preceded by his wife of 63 ½ years, Phyllis A. (Tobias) Myers. He is remembered for […] — (Posted August 6, 2026)

Donald Warren Hinshaw Donald Warren Hinshaw, 93, of New Castle passed away Wednesday, August 5, 2026. He was born September 12, 1932 in Millville, Indiana to the late William and Edith (Evans) Hinshaw. Don was born in the front bedroom of a farm house on the Farmers Pike and was the youngest of seven children. He was a […] — (Posted August 6, 2026)

Joyce Kays Joyce Ann (Schwegman) Kays, born on November 9, 1950, passed away at home on August 5, 2026. She was the beloved daughter of the late Orville and Marjorie (Sturwold) Schwegman. Joyce shared a beautiful life with her husband, Wm. Vallis “Bill” Kays. Together, they built a loving family and would have celebrated their 49th wedding […] — (Posted August 6, 2026)

Gordon Wayne Fetters Gordon Wayne Fetters Sr., 92, of Richmond, passed away August 3, 2026, at Kettering Medical Center. He was born August 6, 1933, in Darke Co., Ohio to John Henry and Lela Irene Brown Fetters and lived here most of his life. Gordon served in the National Guard; retired from Dana/Perfect Circle and was a member […] — (Posted August 5, 2026)

Mary L. Adamson Mary Louise (Stohler) Adamson of Hagerstown IN, died peacefully in her sleep on July 29, 2026 at Hamilton Trace in Fishers, IN. She was 95. Mary Louise was born in Henry County, IN on May 15, 1931 to parents Carl and Dorothy (Brumback) Stohler. Mary Louise always said that she wanted to live as long as […] — (Posted August 5, 2026)

Herbert Stanton Herbert H. Stanton, 95, of Connersville, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2026, in hospice care at Caroleton Healthcare. Born Nov. 3, 1930, in Detroit, Michigan, he was the son of Luther D. and Maggie (Smith) Stanton. His family lived in Detroit in his early life during the Great Depression where there were jobs. They relocated […] — (Posted August 5, 2026)

Wayne C. Klusman Wayne C. Klusman passed away on Saturday, August 1, 2026. The family is being cared for by Culberson Funeral Home. — (Posted August 4, 2026)

Wayne McKee BENTONVILLE- Wayne Alford McKee, 81, passed away peacefully early Tuesday morning August 4, 2026 at his home in rural Bentonville with family at his side. A son of the late William G. and Hazel Laverne (Alford) McKee, Wayne was an early Christmas gift to his parents as he was born at home near Bentonville, Indiana […] — (Posted August 4, 2026)

Peggy L. Harding Peggy L. Harding, 92, of Mt. Summit passed away peacefully on Monday, August 3, 2026 at Henry Community Health. She was born March 5, 1934 in Magness, Arkansas to the late Ewing “Chick” and Virginia “Teen” (Smith) Bevans. Affectionately known as "Grandma Peg" to almost everyone she met, she lived a life full of warmth, […] — (Posted August 4, 2026)

Marilyn Louise Boatman Marilyn Louise Boatman, 70, of New Castle, passed way surrounded by her family on August 3, 2026. She was born on October 8, 1955, in New Castle, to the late John and Jocia (Thompson) Groce. Marilyn’s early years were spent in Blountsville, where she attended school until the third grade. She completed her education at […] — (Posted August 4, 2026)

Howard Huddleston Howard Murray Huddleston was born April 23, 1933, in Richfield, Utah, and went to be with Jesus August 3, 2026, at Ambassador Health Care, Centerville, Indiana . His parents, Howard Norman and Marie Ethel (Moore) Huddleston had moved west in 1932. The family moved back east and settled in Cambridge City in 1942. Howard graduated […] — (Posted August 4, 2026)

Joyce Ann Vanhoose Joyce Ann Vanhoose, 69, of Richmond, passed away August 1, 2026; she was born on December 26, 1956, in Dayton, Ohio, to Herman H. and Florence L. Elliot Ennis. She worked at CINRAM until they closed in 2009; she then worked as an attendant at the Milk House and as a cashier at local gas […] — (Posted August 4, 2026)

Messiah Antonio Dale Burkhart Messiah Antonio Dale Burkhart, 21, of Laurel, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, August 1, 2026 in Connersville. He was born on February 16, 2005, in Connersville, to Billy Burkhart and Shawinka Cox, and was lovingly raised by his grandmothers, Eleanor Burkhart and Ruby Burkhart. Messiah attended Franklin County High School, graduating with the Class of […] — (Posted August 4, 2026)

Lovada Fox Lovada Fox, age 93, of Richmond, Indiana, died peacefully Sunday, July 12, 2026, at Reid Health. Born July 7, 1933, in Jackson County, Kentucky, to Marshall Abner and Retha Webb Abner, Lovada has lived in this community since 1953. She started working in 1977 for Alcoa/Silgan before retiring in 2001. Lovada formerly worked at Knollenberg’s […] — (Posted August 4, 2026)

Stephen “Joey” Goodwin Stephen “Joey” Goodwin, 43, of New Castle, passed away on August 3, 2026, at IU Health University Hospital in Indianapolis. He was born on November 23, 1982, in New Castle, the son of Steve and Sheila (Upchurch) Goodwin. Joey spent many years managing Dairy Queen stores throughout the Indianapolis area. Outside of work, he enjoyed […] — (Posted August 4, 2026)

Melanie Diane Falcone Melanie Diane Falcone passed away on Sunday, August 2, 2026. The family is being cared for by Riggle-Waltermann Mortuary, Inc. — (Posted August 4, 2026)

Charlene Isaacs Charlene Isaacs passed away on Friday July 31, 2026, at the Brickyard Healthcare in Richmond, Indiana at the age of 72. Charlene was the youngest of thirteen children born to Godfrey Pearl and Anna May (Rader) Isaacs in Connersville, Indiana on March 1, 1954. Charlene enjoyed going golfing, bowling and taking trips with her assisted […] — (Posted August 4, 2026)

James Choate, Jr James Choate, Jr. passed away on Monday July 27, 2026, at Reid Health in Richmond, Indiana at the age of 64. He was born on February 8, 1962, the son of James, Sr. and Genevieve Choate. James was a truck driver. He was known as a workaholic that enjoyed being outdoors in nature, whether it […] — (Posted August 4, 2026)

Timothy F. Balzer Timothy F. Balzer, age 66, of Franklin, OH passed away on Friday, July 31, 2026 at his residence. He was born May 13, 1960 in Dayton, OH. Tim worked 33 years as an aircraft mechanic, with the last 14 years at Air Transport International in Wilmington, OH. His love for aviation enabled him to travel […] — (Posted August 3, 2026)

Shawn Allan Thompson Shawn Allan Thompson, 43, of New Castle passed away Sunday, August 2, 2026 at his residence following a six-month battle with cancer. He was born July 27, 1983 in Rushville, Indiana to Allan Thompson and Jennifer Cameron. Shawn is survived by his wife of 7 years, Stacy Thompson. Together, Stacy and Shawn built a loving […] — (Posted August 3, 2026)

Danielle N. Combs Danielle N. Combs, age 51 of West Manchester, Ohio passed peacefully Saturday, August 1, 2026, at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton, Ohio. Danielle was born on July 7, 1975, in Darke County, Ohio, the daughter of Mike & Jan L. (Dispennette) Cook. Danielle was a 1993 Greenville High School Graduate and a 2014 graduate of […] — (Posted August 3, 2026)

Ellen Jean Mong Obituary pending… Funeral services for Ellen Mong will be held Wednesday, August 12th, 2026, at Community Family Funeral Home beginning at 7 p.m. Family and friends may arrive to the funeral home two hours prior for visitation hours. Community Family Funeral Home has been entrusted with final arrangements. Send online condolences to the family via […] — (Posted August 3, 2026)

Regina Lynn Godwin Obituary and arrangements pending… — (Posted August 3, 2026)

Darrel Wooton Darrel Wooton, age 80, of New Paris, OH passed away on Saturday, August 1, 2026 at home surrounded by his family. He was born August 24, 1945 in Hyden, KY to the late Roy and Mary (Huff) Wooton. Darrel graduated from high school in Hawaii where he was living with his brother. He was a […] — (Posted August 3, 2026)

Glen Smith Glen Osby Smith, 96, died Saturday, August 1, 2026 peacefully in his sleep at home. Glen was born a firecracker on July 4, 1930 in Pall Mall, Tennessee to Coy and Mallie Smith. He married Mary Willoudene “Willy” Mercer on May 15, 1949. Willy and Glen had two children, a daughter Marcia and son Darrell. […] — (Posted August 3, 2026)

Lonnie “Sue” Rivers Lonnie “Sue” Rivers, age 85, of West Alexandria, OH passed away Saturday, August 1, 2026. She was born July 24, 1941 in Beattyville, KY to the late Donald and Effie (Oliver) Green. Sue was the owner of South Main Beauty Salon for over 30 years where she spent much of her life making others feel […] — (Posted August 2, 2026)