Debra L. Whitaker

Debra Lynn Whitaker moved to God's heavenly care as the Harvest Moon rose, October 5, 2017 with her family at her bedside. She fought a hard, two year battle with Lymphoma.
Deb was born in Kalamazoo, MI on March 17, 1957 to Barbara and Gerald Whipple of Mattawan, MI, who survive. Left to cherish her memory are her husband Tom Whitaker of Granger, IN, daughter Kalyn (Chad) Smith of Greenwood, IN and son Jordan Whitaker of Mattawan, MI. Also surviving are brothers Scott (Deb) Whipple of Paw Paw, MI and Steve (Jen) Whipple of Pittsburg, CA along with many close Aunts, Uncles, Nieces, Nephews and Cousins. Her older brother Sid Whipple preceded her in death.
Deb and her family moved to Paw Paw, MI. in 1967. A 1975 graduate of Paw Paw High School, 4th in her class, with Honors. She was a 1979 Graduate of Western Michigan University with a BS in Biomedical Science and a Chemistry Minor. She completed a yearlong Med Tech Internship in Grand Rapids, MI in 1980. Obtaining her ASCP Certification she relocated to South Bend to work as a Medical Technologist at the South Bend Osteopathic Hospital. In 1984 Deb started work at Miles Laboratories (Bayer Corp) in their Diagnostic Division as a Senior Associate QA Scientist. She continued in that workgroup (now Ascencia) most recently as a Customer Product Support Specialist.
Deb met her husband, Tom playing Intramural Football at WMU. They were married in April, 1984.
Deb's Faith was established early in life and was strengthened through her involvement with UMYF and Church camps in Paw Paw. This continued as a member of Grace United Methodist Church in South Bend where she helped in the Nursery and taught Sunday school. Her Faith was shown through her kindness.
A true ‘Pisces' woman, she loved the water, whether she was beside it, in it or on it. She enjoyed swimming and waterskiing along with Nordic and Alpine Skiing, as well as bowling and golf. Deb was the family planner and organizer, taking care of the family and friends' ski trips, vacations and Disney adventures. But her real focus was Family. She loved all Holidays because they involved Family. Her interests were formed by her Family's activities. No matter the activity; athletics, choir, dance or theater, car shows or airshows, going to a St. Louis Cardinals or Detroit Tigers ballgame or WMU Hockey game, she was a Cheerleader for each one. If her Family was involved, so was she.
Her life was full of "pixie dust" moments and she loved to send that out to others. She was the constant and positive influence in her Family's' life and they, along with her many friends, could always rely on Debbie.
She embodied that on the road of life, it's not the destination but who you travel with.
Though you are not physically here any longer, we will take you with us as we move down this road.
Visitation for Family and Friends will be from 4 - 7 PM, on Thursday, Oct. 12., at the McGann Hay, Granger Chapel, 13260 SR 23, enter off Cherry Rd. A Memorial service will be held Friday, October 13 at 11 AM at Grace United Methodist Church in South Bend. Private burial will take place at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, Debbie requested that Memorial donations be made to Grace United Methodist Church or to the Center for Hospice Care.
To send condolences to the family please visit: www.McGannHay.com.