Lifelong Plymouth resident Debra S. Bixel, 71, passed away in her home at 12:40 a.m. on Tuesday, October 26, 2021.
Born on July 3, 1950, in Plymouth, Indiana, Debra was the daughter of Ralph C. and Doris A. (Long) Lamborn. She graduated from LaVille High School with the class of 1968.
She worked at the Bremen Post for the Indiana State Police Department for over 28 years, retiring in 2012.
She enjoyed bowling, tending to her flower beds, doing arts and crafts and bird watching, knowing each species as they flew to her feeders. Her dogs Ivy and Rufus meant a lot to her. She found joy in cooking and catering and loved dancing to bands like the Beach Boys. Above all, spending time with family made her happiest.
Debra was a member of the former Eagles Auxiliary and the former Jaycees Auxiliary, in Plymouth.
She is survived by her daughter, Amy (Theodore) Rotering of Grovertown, and son William J. (Angie) Hesler of Plymouth; grandchildren Aron Rotering and Leita (Thomas Rinck) Hesler and great-grandchildren Rusty, Brody and Paisley; brother, Dennis (Gloria) Lamborn of Mishawaka; stepchildren Melanie (Ryan) Gray of Plymouth and Melissa Courtney of Culver; step-grandchildren, Noah and Jordan Brown, Hadley Courtney, and Zack, Josh and Cameron Kelly; and her companion Jerry Eby of Plymouth.
Debra was preceded in death by her parents and granddaughter, Christina Rotering.
Friends are welcome from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, October 29, 2021, at Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan Street, Plymouth.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 30, 2021, in the funeral home with Rev. Dr. Patrick Eby officiating.
Burial will be in the New Oak Hill Cemetery, Plymouth,
Memorial contributions can be made to the Beacon Children’s Hospital, 615 N. Michigan Street, South Bend, IN 46601 or the Humane Society of Marshall Co, PO Box 22, Plymouth, IN 46563.
Tammy Lemert says
May she be at peace in heaven, my condolences on your loss. Love, hugs and prayers for you all. My thoughts will be with you on Saturday, as I’m out of town. Tammy Lemert
Bomber Wickey says
We sure had a lot of laughs and good times with De. She will be missed.
Words are so inadequate at this time of such great sorrow. Know that your Mom is with God and all his angels, and he will watch over you always.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families.
Peace!
Bomber and Nita Wickey
Kentwood, Michigan
Jane Annis Keltner says
RIP my dear friend Debbie. I feel so blessed to have had such a wonderful person for a friend. Love and Prayers to the family and Jerry.
Another angel is in heaven.
Sincerely Jane (Annis) Keltner
Lisa Whitcraft says
So sorry to see this. She was such a sweet lady. I always loved running into her, or seeing her at DQ on a weekly basis! So sorry for your loss Amy and family!
Sandy Jarrell Oluver says
Condolences to family and friends if Debbie’s. So sorry for your loss. Sending prayers of comfort this time.
Sandy Jarrell Oilver
Mark Senter, Plymouth says
What a great lady with a smile that never quit! I knew Deb for many years while she dispatched for the Indiana State Police Bremen Post where I was assigned as a trooper and detective. She later became a very organized evidence tech at the post and did a great job in that role as well.
She will be missed by many and we pray for her family during these difficult times.
Randy McGriff says
Oh Debbie, what a beautiful soul you were. I am blessed that we were friends and classmates. RIP dear lady!!
Janis Bottorff says
Please accept our heartfelt condolences for your loss. …To Jerry and family
Bruce & Janis Bottorff
Donna (Goebel) Laureys says
So sorry to hear about Deb. I was a classmate of hers. I remember her as being friendly, smiling and having a bubbly personality. She was such a bright light in this world. I am so glad I got to see her at our 2018 class reunion. My condolences to all of the family.
To Amy and William – “As you mourn for your precious Mom, may God’s love enfold you, may His peace surround you, even as you face this most difficult time.” God bless
Carol McGurn says
Amy and family so sorry for your loss. I have promised to be by your side. Sorry I am unable to fullfill my promise. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Love you!
Carol and John McGurn
SANDRA KIEL says
To all the family and Jerry, so very, very sorry to get the news. Such a very special
person with a smile on her face always. Known for having fun and helping anyone
in need. She has a special place in heaven. -Sandy Kiel
Shirley Pearson says
Debra was a wonderful lady. Our prayers and thoughts are with the family.
Loree Swart says
May God’s Love comfort you all with the loss of your loved one. Debbie the authentic loving friend. May she run with the angels pain free !
Jan (Warner) Kinney says
So sorry to hear of Deb’s passing. Don always enjoyed reminiscing with her whenever we ran into her about town. Drove past her house numerous times on the way somewhere. Condolences to all of you.
Don and Jan Kinney
Tami Guard says
I worked with Debbie at the State Police Lab in Lowell. She came over and helped us out at Lowell when were short-handed. She was very nice and easy to work with. Rest in peace, Debbie.
Tami Guard, Lowell State Police Lab
Linda Murr says
I always enjoyed Debbie when I was at Bremen teaching IDACS. She was a sweet lady.
Sue Reaker says
So sorry for your loss. Sending prayers- She loved her family ,we talked of how important our children and grandchildren were to each of us!! Deb
was a special person that was liked by all that met her.. Sending prayers for the entire family..
Marcia Brown Rettinger says
I graduated with Deb. She was a very sweet person. You have my deepest sympathy. Marcia
Jack Roose says
Denny and family…
So sorry for your loss. May God’s comfort and strength see you through this.
Steve Cramer says
Went through all 12 grades with Deb….what a great and infectious smile. So sorry for your loss. You are in my prayers.
Steve Cramer
Steve Hostetler says
So sorry to hear of Debbies passing…but thankful she is in no more pain. Prayers for the family.
Wayne Vance says
I graduated HS with Deb. It was always great to see her at our reunions. My deepest condolences to her family and loved ones. I’m sure she will be missed.
Sherry (Cox) Kibbe says
I was a classmate and friend of Deb’s. My Condolences to her family. Such a Great person definitely a place in heaven for such a sweet giving person. Prayer for all of the family at this difficult time.
Sherry (Cox)Kibbe
Cindy Owens says
Debra was always a sweetheart through school. I had not seen her since that time. Shared memories note that surely had not changed. I am sincerely sorry for your family’s loss. Cindy Crossgrove Owens
Tom and Debbie Rubesha says
Debbie was a very happy person all the time. Always smiling. Had not seen her for quite sometime. She will be so missed by a lot of people. Hoping her family finds peace soon.
Twyla Hartman says
Your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Mike and Twyla Hartman
Gene and Patt Wenzel says
Debbie was always a friendly person and classmate. She always enjoyed people. May the Good Lord take care of her in Heaven, and help those dealing with sorrow, here. God Bless. Gene and Patt Wenzel
Donna Taber Whitmer says
Debbie was a happy person and I will miss her smile! RIP friend!..
H.C. and Linda (McBride) Colwell says
So sorry to all. My parents and her parents were great friends. We played together and attended church together as children. We were out of town and could not be with you. Blessings to all.
Allen & Donna Pontius says
Our sincere sympathy to Deb’s family. Whenever we saw her, she greeted us with a smile. She will be missed.
Marilee Johnson says
I am just seeing this on November 27th. I am so sorry Debbie has passed and I was not there to tell her Good-Bye for now. Until we meet again. Love and Prayers to Family!