Deborah Downey

Deborah A. Downey, 63, of Forsyth, IL, passed away at 2:48 p.m. Friday, November 21, 2014, at Hickory Point Christian Village in Forsyth. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, November 25, at Central Christian Church, Decatur, with Michael Karunas, Minister, officiating. Visitation will be 4-7 p.m. Monday, November 24, at Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home, Decatur. Burial will be at Graceland Cemetery. Memorials may be made to: Central Christian Church Pre-school or Maroa-Forsyth Schools Foundation. Deborah was born October 5, 1951, in Albany, N.Y., the daughter of Leonard and Joanne (Dopp) Chapman. She married Dennis J. Downey on June 4, 1977, at Central Christian Church in Decatur. Deborah received her B.S. from Illinois State University in Normal, IL. She began her teaching career in Lexington, IL, After moving to Decatur, she first taught at Stevenson Elementary School. Later, she became director and also a teacher at the Central Christian Church Pre-school. She had most recently taught at the Forsyth Grade School and then the new Maroa-Forsyth Grade School. Deborah enjoyed camping when she was a Girl Scout, and later she loved to travel, especially retracing the route of the old Oregon Trail. She was a member of Central Christian Church Chancel Choir, While at home, she enjoyed watching the Food Network on TV, was an avid reader, and was proud of her large cookie jar collection. Surviving are her husband: Dennis J., of Forsyth, IL; children: Chris Downey and wife Lisa of Forsyth, IL, Kim Downey of St. Louis, MO, Ryan Downey of Edwardsville, IL; her father and stepmother: Leonard and Gloria Chapman of Thousand Oaks, CA; grandchildren: Isabella and Ryleigh of Forsyth, IL; one brother: Jim Chapman and wife Laura of Pollock Pines, CA; and one sister: Terri Rapping and husband Michael of Thousand Oaks, CA. Deborah was preceded in death by her mother Joanne. The family would like to express their deep appreciation to the many physicians who had cared for Deborah during her long illness: Dr. Katie Miller, Dr. Jessie Junker, Dr. Delores Estrada-Garcia, Dr. Anthony Collins, Dr. Robert Kraus Jr., Dr. Steven Sobel, Dr. Blake Doss, and Dr. Mary Ann Depaz. Also not to be forgotten are the nurses, CNAs, and staff of the Hickory Point Christian Village. "
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