Debra J. Iliff

Debra Joy Iliff, 64, of Watervliet was called home to heaven and received eternal healing on Monday, Sept. 2, 2024, at Corewell Health Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph.

A Christian victory service will be at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 6, at St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran Church, 3713 Naomi Road, Sodus, MI with Pastor Robert Duehlmeyer Jr., officiating. Burial will follow in New Hope Cemetery in Bainbridge Township. Friends may visit from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 5, at Starks & Menchinger Chapel and Cremation Service, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph.

In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to St. Paul's Ev. Lutheran Church or Michigan Lutheran High School. Those wishing to share a memory of Debbie online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.

Debbie was born March 15, 1960, in Watervliet to Manfred and Rosalie (Hiler) Miller. She graduated from Watervliet High School in 1978, then married her high school sweetheart, Pat on April 14, 1979. After staying home to raise her four children, she attended Lake Michigan College then Western Michigan University, where she earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in education. Debbie taught for Watervliet Public Schools as a first-grade teacher for 20 years. Debbie loved traveling and spending time with her family, especially her grandchildren. She loved her Lord and Savior and her faith never wavered, even through her final moments.

Debbie is survived by her husband, Patrick Iliff; mother, Rosalie Miller; children: Benjamin (Amy) Iliff, Beth (Joseph) Wheeler, Daniel (Amanda) Iliff and Denise (Joseph) Fletcher; grandchildren: Claire Fletcher, Brayden Wheeler, Reagan Fletcher, Harrison Iliff, Brooke Wheeler, Owen Fletcher, Bailey Wheeler, Maddox Iliff, Ezra Iliff and Esther Iliff; and brother, Russ Miller.

Debbie was preceded in death by her father, Manfred Miller.