Debbie L. Keating

1954 - 2021

Debbie L. Keating, age 66, a resident of Wheaton, passed away, Wednesday, July 7, 2021. She was born August 31, 1954 in Shelbyville, Tennessee to Bill & Schrene Statum.

Many who knew Debbie knew that she loved butterflies. Not only did she love the beauty our Creator gave them, but she also loved the change they went through that brought forth that beauty. That was what Debbie was, an incredible woman who went through adversities and emerged more beautiful and strong than she had already been.

Debbie was born and raised in Shelbyville, TN. After high school she attended Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, TN and studied nursing. She then went to Emmaus Bible College in Oak Park, IL. She met Larry Keating and they were soon married and moved to Huntsville, AL where her sons Larry and Chris were born. After a few years they settled in Naperville, IL, had Becca and Matt, and raised their family.

Debbie spent her life caring for and loving others. She was a loving Mother and her family was the most important thing to her besides the Lord Jesus. She was well known as the best Nana in the world by all those that mattered and she loved her grandkids so much. She also earned a reputation as the world's greatest hugger.

She also cared for many people as a loving and highly skilled nurse. Debbie worked as an Emergency Room nurse at Central Dupage Hospital for 22 years and a few years at Central Dupage Convenient Care. She then moved to the Philippines for 3 years, volunteering as a nurse for both an orphanage and a school for missionary kids (Faith Academy) as well as helping to start a ministry that is still going to this day, a pregnancy center.

After her years in the Philippines, Debbie moved back to her life in Illinois, where she plugged herself back into her church, Warrenville Bible Chapel, and started a new job, working as a hospice nurse at Journey Care where she touched countless lives with her grace and demeanor. All her co-workers say that she was a great nurse and an even greater person. She had the best smile, laugh, and had joy no matter what she was going through. Debbie went through many tough times in her life yet she leaned on Jesus and became closer to Jesus during every trial. She said, “Jesus is the most important thing that we have in this life”. Debbie passed knowing that her family and friends loved her very much. She lived her life well and she will be greatly missed.

She is survived by her children Larry (Kim), Chris, Becca (Matt) Bay, Matt (Nikki) Keating; her grandchildren: Tyler, Abby & Andrew Keating; Gibson & Porter Bay; and Logan & Isaac Keating. Also survived by her three brothers Austin (Emily) Statum, Tim Statum & Tom (Connie) Statum and many nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held Friday, July 23, 2021, from 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., Wheaton, IL 60187. A memorial service will be held at Warrenville Bible Chapel, 4S157 Curtis Ave., Warrenville, IL 60555, on Saturday, July 24, 2021, at 11:00 a.m. For those unable to attend in-person, the memorial service will be livestreamed beginning at 11:00 a.m. To view the service, follow this link: https://m.youtube.com/watch?fbclid=IwAR1sp65y_qNuNjAsNjOJ3-ds-SmSntGZ1kq9_RlUdX6IDnaKg2BoYYSgNAw&v=9QOpFDcIiNY&feature=youtu.be.

Memorial gifts may be directed to the Missionary Fund at Warrenville Bible Chapel, 4S157 Curtis Ave, Warrenville, IL 60555.

Family and friends may sign a guest book at hultgrenfh.com. For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.