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.
Paul Eugene “Gene” Schneider
Paul (Gene) Eugene Schneider passed away on Thursday, February 5, 2026. The family is being cared for by Riggle Waltermann Mortuary. — (Posted February 7, 2026)
Tobias “Toby” Jerome Lingg
Tobias (Toby) Jerome Lingg of Indianapolis, Indiana passed away peacefully Thursday morning February 5, 2026 at IU West of Avon Indiana. He was born on January 1, 1965 in Connersville, Indiana, the son of the late Louis E. and Joan C. Lingg and was the eighth of nine children. He graduated from Connersville High School […] — (Posted February 7, 2026)
Thomas J. Pohlabel
Thomas J. Pohlabel, age 98, of Eaton, OH passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 29, 2026 at his residence surrounded by his loving family. He was born November 2, 1927 in Lima, Ohio to the late John H. and Bonnie L. (Dawson) Pohlabel. Thomas was a U.S. Army Air Corps Veteran and served during WWII. […] — (Posted February 7, 2026)
John Paul Cunningham
John Paul Cunningham was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend. He left this world far too soon on February 5, 2026 at View full obituary — (Posted February 6, 2026)
Deloris N. Rooper
Deloris N. Rooper, 88, went home to be with her Lord and Savior on February 4, 2026. She was born in Hurricane, WV on November 9, 1937, to the late Frank and Elizabeth (Searles) Campbell. Deloris graduated from Hurricane High School in 1955. She lived most of her life in Hurricane West Virginia, where she […] — (Posted February 5, 2026)
Felix Evans, Jr.
Felix Evans, Jr. of Liberty passed away on Wednesday February 4, 2026 at Rosebud Village in Richmond at the age of 90. Felix was born View full obituary — (Posted February 5, 2026)
Mark Thomas Nuse
Mark Thomas Nuse, age 41, of Eaton, OH, passed away suddenly on Wednesday, February 4, 2026 at his residence. He was born September 30, 1984 in Dayton, OH to Linda J. (Dininger) Nuse and the late Thomas Frederick “Fred” Nuse. Mark was a 2003 graduate of Twin Valley High School and attended Ohio State University […] — (Posted February 5, 2026)
Paul A. Mason
Paul A. Mason, age 71 of Dayton, Ohio and formerly of Eaton Ohio, passed away Wednesday, February 4, 2026 at Wood Glen Alzheimer's Community. Born on June 5, 1954 in Richmond, Indiana, he is the son of Lucille P. (Riege) Mason and the late Donald F. Mason in 2018. Paul worked at the I 70 […] — (Posted February 5, 2026)
Virginia Lynne Fraze Wilhelm
CONNERSVILLE, Ind. – Virginia Lynne Fraze Wilhelm, age 86, of Connersville, Indiana, died Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at Caroleton Healthcare. Born September 9, 1939, in Centerville, Indiana, to Castle and Alice Brannon Fraze, Virginia lived in this community most of her life. She was a 1957 graduate of Centerville High School. Virginia retired from U.S.D.A. […] — (Posted February 5, 2026)
Jack Harrison
Jack Harrison, 89, of Connersville, passed away Tuesday morning, February 3, 2026, at Arbor Trace of Richmond. He was born September 7, 1936, in Jackson County, Kentucky, one of eight children of the late Stanley and Margaret Stewart Harrison. On April 20, 1957, Jack was married in Jellico, Tennessee, to Lorene Honeycutt of McKee, Kentucky, […] — (Posted February 5, 2026)
Brandon Alexander Erbse II
Brandon Alexander Erbse II, precious newborn son of Casey and Brandon Erbse, was born at 7:00 PM on January 12, 2026, and went to Heaven at 9:36 that night. After months of uncertainty and prayers, little Brandon was born at Reid Hospital in Richmond, IN surrounded and embraced by unconditional love. Baby Brandon was the […] — (Posted February 5, 2026)
Melba J. Smith
Melba J. Smith, 80, of New Castle passed away Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at her residence. She was born June 18, 1945 in Albany, Kentucky to Thurston and Goldie (Ballenger) Jones. Melba was employed at Huntington Industry, Alpha Pro Fab, New Castle Developmental Center and the Richmond State Hospital, where she retired after 20 years […] — (Posted February 4, 2026)
Ellen Lynch
Ellen Lynch, 93, passed away on Tuesday morning, February 3, at Reid Health. She was born on May 7, 1932, in Clay County, Kentucky to John T. & Essie McCreary Wagers. Ellen was a hard worker and a loyal warrior. In her youth, she was a cook at a drive-in restaurant and later worked in […] — (Posted February 4, 2026)
Rhonda Culwell
Rhonda Lynn Culwell, 64, of Richmond, passed away on Thursday evening, January 29, at Reid Health. Rhonda was born in Richmond, Indiana, on April 1, 1961, the daughter of Thomas & Bernice Jordan Stewart. She formerly worked in manufacturing and spent many years serving hungry customers as a waitress. She enjoyed crocheting and listening to […] — (Posted February 4, 2026)
Donald K. Moystner
Donald K. Moystner, age 81, of Richmond, Indiana, died Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at Reid Health. He was born September 10, 1944, in Richmond, Indiana, to Ara and Pauline Lent Moystner. Don worked as the business manager for American Water Works before retiring after 37 years of service. He was a good man, dad, husband, […] — (Posted February 4, 2026)
Marjorie Sue Gabbard
Marjorie Sue Gabbard of Connersville, IN passed away on Tuesday evening February 3, 2026, at Ambassador Healthcare in Centerville, IN at the age of 86. View full obituary — (Posted February 4, 2026)
Martha C. Grimme
Martha C. Grimme, age 99 of West Alexandria, OH passed away on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at the Greenbriar Nursing Center in Eaton, OH. She was born July 18, 1926 in West Alexandria, OH to the late Herman H. and Lottie Mae (Ehler) Roselius. Martha was a 1943 graduate of West Alexandria High School. She […] — (Posted February 4, 2026)
Bill Cox Jr.
William “Bill” T. Cox Jr., 62, of Connersville, went home to be with the Lord Wednesday morning, February 4, 2026, surrounded by his loving family. He had been in failing health for the past five years. One of five sons of William T. and Betty Trabel Cox Sr., Bill was born on December 22, 1963, […] — (Posted February 4, 2026)
Wendell Irvin Whicker
Obituary pending… There will be no public services. Community Family Funeral Home has been entrusted with final arrangements. Send online condolences to the family via View full obituary — (Posted February 4, 2026)
Lisa A. Adams
Obituary pending… Services for Lisa will be held on Saturday, February 14th, 2026, at Community Family Funeral Home beginning at 12 noon. Family and friends View full obituary — (Posted February 4, 2026)
Paul Cook
Paul David Cook, a beloved father, grandfather, husband and community member, passed away on January 24, 2026. He is survived by his wife Debra Cook, his sons Shaun and Matthew Cook, his daughter Lindsay Morris, and his nine cherished grandchildren. Paul was a graduate of Lincoln High School with the class of 1973 and a […] — (Posted February 4, 2026)
Ronald Lee Morris
Dr. Ronald Lee Morris, 58, of Columbia, SC, passed away on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. Born on January 28, 1967, in Richmond, Indiana, he is the son of Donald J. Morris and Rebecka Ann Livingston Morris of Richmond, Indiana. Dr. Morris received his undergraduate degree from Indiana University and later earned his Doctor of Optometry […] — (Posted February 4, 2026)
Barbara Ann Myers
Barbara A. Myers, 91, of West Manchester, Ohio passed away Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at Brookhaven in Brookville, Ohio. Born on June 11, 1934 in Plymouth, Michigan, she was the daughter of the late John and Ella Irene (Baublit) Kainz. Barbara attended the Eaton Church of the Nazarene and had lived in Ontario, California for […] — (Posted February 4, 2026)
Howard W. “Hardrock” Kennedy
Howard W. “Hardrock” Kennedy, 86, of New Castle, passed away Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at Henry Community Health. Howard was born September 15, 1939, in New Castle, Indiana, the son of the late Freda (Gordon) Prater. Howard proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps from 1956 to 1962, traveling and being stationed […] — (Posted February 4, 2026)
Bonnie E. Cary
Bonnie E. Cary, 84, of New Castle, passed away peacefully on Monday evening, February 2, 2026, surrounded by the love and devoted care of her family, following a brief battle with cancer. She was born on June 12, 1941, in Albany, Kentucky, a daughter of the late Leo and Alta (Mu… — (Posted February 4, 2026)
Randall A. “Randy” Smith
Randall A. “Randy” Smith, age 65, of West Alexandria, OH passed away on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at his residence. He was born October 22, 1960 in Dayton, OH to the late Bobby Smith and Irene Gamble Smith. Randy was a third-generation water well driller. He loved working on and driving big block cars; riding […] — (Posted February 3, 2026)
Carlos Leroy Leach Jr.
Carlos Leroy Leach Jr, age 77, of Mason, OH passed away on Saturday, January 24, 2026 at the UC Health Hospital in West Chester, OH. He was born November 8, 1948 in Providence, RI to the late Carlos Leroy Sr and Dorothy (Glynn) Leach. He was a 1967 graduate of Bethel High School in Tipp […] — (Posted February 3, 2026)
Mark D. Reynolds
Mark Duane Reynolds, age 61, of Fort Recovery, Ohio, passed away on Monday, February 2, 2026, at Reid Health in Richmond, Indiana. He was born on June 21. 1964, in Union City, Indiana, to Dianna K. (Davis) Reynolds of Fort Recovery and the late Elmer H. Reynolds. In addition to his father, Mark was preceded […] — (Posted February 3, 2026)
Bonnie Elizabeth Cary
Bonnie Elizabeth Cary, 84, of New Castle, passed away at home on the evening of Monday, February 2, 2026. Arrangements are pending at Sproles Family Funeral Home. — (Posted February 3, 2026)