Debra Jean Menzie Helmuth, age 61, and a resident of Bourbon, passed away quietly after a brief illness at 6:37 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2018, in Fort Wayne’s Lutheran Hospital of Indiana.
Debra was born in Warsaw on April 6, 1957. She was one of four children raised in the family home and was the daughter of Marlin and Garnet Snyder Menzie and spent most of her life in Warsaw. She was a 1975 graduate of Warsaw Community High School.
On July 2, 1983, she was wed to Phillip Helmuth in Warsaw’s First Brethren Church. United in marriage by Pastor Ken Hunn, the pair recently celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary.
Debra had worked at Kosciusko Community Hospital in housekeeping and as the switchboard operator. She was a generous, kind woman with a big, compassion-filled heart. She was selfless, always willing to help others before considering herself.
She enjoyed bingo, finding a bargain at garage sales and listening to Christian music. Strong in her faith, she attended church at The Ruwm.
In addition to her husband, Phillip, those left behind include a daughter, Tammy (husband Scott) Follmer, of Etna Green; son, Terry Shaw, of Bourbon; and sisters, Vicky Evans of Ohio and Sandy Sprong of Warsaw. Also surviving are mother-in-law Esther Helmuth, and Debra’s six grandchildren: Hannah Shaw, Alex Shaw, Meli (husband Matt) Connett, Lucas Follmer, Liam Follmer and Marli Helmuth.
She was preceded in death by son, Brooks Helmuth; brother, Rex Menzie; parents, Marlin and Garnet Menzie; and father-in-law Hank Helmuth.
The family will receive friends at Titus Funeral Home, 2000 E. Sheridan St., from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, Nov. 16.
A funeral celebrating Debra’s life will be in the funeral home at 10 a.m. Saturday, with doors open for one hour before the service. Pastor Aaron Jones of The Ruwm will officiate, with burial following in Warsaw’s Oakwood Cemetery.
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Those wishing to express their sympathy may do so by signing the guestbook at www.TitusFuneralHome.com.
