Deborah (Debbie) Catherine Herther

Deborah (Debbie) Catherine Herther, wife of David R. Herther, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on October 19, 2025, and has entered heaven in the company of her Lord and Savior, Jesus.

Debbie was born in Connecticut and lived her childhood in Louisiana, Kentucky, Utah, and Colorado where her parents and sisters went on adventures camping in the mountains. She attended Westmont College and later the University of Maryland to fulfill her childhood ambition to become a nurse. Upon graduation she was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Army, where her service included active duty during Operation Desert Storm in 1991. She completed her Master of Nursing at Indiana University and spent the final 20 years of her career as a Nurse Practitioner.

She met David Herther, a midshipman at the U.S. Naval Academy through Officers Christian Fellowship in Annapolis, Maryland in 1973. Their love story was in itself an adventure: they married in 1977 and she followed him as he served in the U.S. submarine force from San Diego to Connecticut to a small farm near Vallonia, Indiana. There, they built their first house, then remodeled a 1911 farmhouse while building a successful cow-calf farm.

Debbie and Dave raised 3 children. Debbie was a committed, encouraging, and hardworking mother and grandmother. She was fiercely loyal, maintaining close relationships with her children, sisters, college roommate, and other friends and relatives across the country. A wonderful writer, her family has enjoyed reading her letters from decades past. Debbie is remembered for her quick smile, ease of laughter and willingness to join in the fun and games of any moment.

Dave and Debbie served in the Driftwood Christian Church community for 40 years where Debbie taught preschool Sunday School. Debbie always demonstrated her love of others through action and service; throughout her life, she held fast to the firm belief that God loves us, sent his son to die for us, and will take his followers to live with Him forever in Heaven.

Debbie is preceded in death by her parents Wesley and Dell Jones. She is survived by her husband, David; her sisters Susan (Dale) Blettner and Janet (Bill) Lamkin; her 3 children, Rebecca Chason, Mark (Ashley) Herther, and Andrew (Jen) Herther; and 9 grandchildren who she loved deeply and in whom she delighted. A memorial service will be held at Driftwood Christian Church on November 15, 2025 at 11:30 AM; in lieu of flowers, the family asks that any memorials be given to Driftwood Christian Church Sunday School fund.