Debra Ann "Debbie" Bender

Debra Ann Ready was born March 14, 1952, in Monroe, Michigan. She was one of five children born from the union of Joseph William Ready and Twila Anita (Curley) Ready. She graduated with the class of 1970 from St. Mary's Academy. She married John Bender and was blessed with three children.
Debra was led to a career in communications. Over time, she worked at several jobs including Jones Transfer, ABC Answering Service, and as a Toledo Marina radio and 911 operator. However, her most treasured role was at Mercy Memorial Hospital. There, she spent twenty-eight years in the communications department, retiring in 2016.
Debbie was a woman with many passions. Her love for reading, crafting, and cooking, especially her tetrazzini, was well known among family and friends. She often shared homemade culinary delights and handmade crafts. Being around the water provided her endless joy and inspiration.
Debbie's deep faith and commitment to her church community were evident in her forty plus year membership at the Monroe Nazarene Church. Her heart was particularly filled by involvement with the teen group. Cooking for their mission trips to varied locations, from bustling Toronto and scenic Arkansas to historic Howell, Middlesboro, Kentucky, and a special journey to an Indian school in Arizona, brought her great joy.
Debra "Debbie" A. Bender, age 73, of Monroe, passed away at her daughter's home at 11:38am on Monday; January 12, 2026. Her passing was preceded by her parents and a brother: Douglas Williams Ready.
To cherish her memory, she leaves three children: Gina (Thomas) Rutledge, Tammy (Stanford) Smith, and John Karl Bender Jr.; two sisters: Denise Marie Langford and Marie Wheeler; a brother: Patrick Ready; six grandchildren: Caleb Jennings, Katie Jennings, Caden Smith, Carter Smith, Cole Smith, and Evan Bender; and two great granddaughters.
Friends may gather Thursday; January 15, 2026, from 2:00pm until 4:00pm at Merkle Funeral Service, North Monroe; 2442 North Monroe Street, Monroe, Michigan 48162 (734) 384-5185. A Celebration of Her Life will take place at 4:00pm, also at Merkle's. Cremation has taken place through Covenant Cremation of Erie, Michigan, a division of Merkle Enterprises, Inc.
Online guests may visit www.merklefs.com to leave words of inspiration and comfort or share a photo.