In Memory
Debra "Debbie" Patrice Whitt
September 21, 1952 ~ October 14, 2025 (age 73)
Debra P. Whitt, 73, of South Bend, IN, died in Elkhart, IN of cardiac arrest on 10/14/2025.
Debbie was born on September 21, 1952, to James and Alice Smead, who were loving parents and grandparents. She was the youngest of seven sisters.
Debbie met her soulmate Tony Whitt in 1993 when they were introduced by her cousin, Lyle, who had been best friends with Tony for years. Excited to start their new lives together, the two were married on April 26, 1995, in Panama City Beach, in the company of Ryan, Debbie's youngest son, Andrea, Tony's daughter, Lyle, and Lyle's mother, Phyllis.
Debbie gave birth to three sons, whom she loved deeply and unconditionally. Robert (Rob) David Beyerle, was born January 1973, Daniel (Dan) James Beyerle was born June 1976, and Matthew “Ryan” Warner was born May 1982. Once she became a mother, she devoted her life to making sure her sons could have the best lives possible. She saw her main role in life as being a mother and loving caregiver.
In addition to her children, Debbie adored her grandchildren, Daphne and Ethan, born in 2004 and 2012 respectively, to Dan and his wife, Becky. Debbie also loved and spoiled her grand-kitties and grand-dogs.
Debbie was a devout Christian her entire life, and she had a deep and meaningful connection with God. She attended Ardmore Church during her youth, met Ryan's father Joe Warner at First Christian Church, and attended Community Brethren church later in life. She loved to sing in church and use her voice in ministry to the Lord.
She held various job positions throughout her life, mostly performing clerical work and held a position at Gemeinhardt musical instruments factory where Tony worked for decades.
Debbie loved singing karaoke in addition to singing at church. She was also an avid Notre Dame fan and closely followed ND women's basketball and men's football. In the earlier years of their relationship, Deb and Tony took many trips into the Western US to tour the national parks, and she remembered those days fondly in her final days. Deb loved to sew and craft, and baking cookies was a special pastime shared with her youngest son, Ryan. She shared a love of gardening with sister Jamie, and during the last months of her life, Deb spent time in the sunshine getting her hands in the dirt and creating a beautiful garden space in front of the home she shared with husband Tony.
Debbie was preceded in death by parents James and Alice Smead, sister Janet Louise, sister Sue, sister Sharon, and is survived by sisters Judie, Betty Jean, and Jamie, husband Tony, sons Rob, Dan, and Ryan, and grandchildren Daphne and Ethan.
Services will take place on Wednesday, October 22nd at Palmer Bubb Chapel at 3910 N. Main St Mishawaka, IN. Visitation hours will be from 10 am to 12 noon with the Celebration of Life service at 12 noon. The proceedings will move to Mount Pleasant cemetery where she will be laid to rest. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Wellfield Elkhart Botanic Gardens (https://www.wellfieldgardens.org/donate).
10/31/2025 DEC
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