Add a Memory
Send Flowers
Make a Donation
Debra Kern Obituary
Publish in a newspaper
Born in Wilmington, DE, on September 21, 1954, she was a daughter of the late Richard and Rita (Klapinski) Palko. Debbie was a graduate of Christiana High School in 1972. She worked for DP&L as a clerk before starting her family.
Debbie is survived by her loving spouse of 47 years, William H. Kern; children, Matthew W. Kern and Sheyenne D. Hensley (Michael Crump); siblings, Richard Palko, James Palko, and Patsy Jensen; grandchildren, Wyatt and Hudson; and canine companions, Caesar, Lexi, and Bayley.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 10 am until 11 am on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 1000 North DuPont Parkway, New Castle, DE, where a memorial service will begin at 11 am. Inurnment will be held privately.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Debbie's memory to the Lupus Foundation, 270 Madison Avenue, Suite 300, New York, NY 10016 or online by clicking here.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
How you can show support
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Follow this page
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
0 Entries
Be the first to post a memory or condolences.
1000 N. DuPont Parkway, New Castle, DE 19720
Make a Donation
in Debra Kern's name
People and places connected with Debra
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
Recent Obituaries
How to support Debra's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Debra Kern's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
