Debbie Whitesell

Debbie Whitesell, 65, Dunkirk, died Sunday, Dec. 3, 2023, at home following an extended illness. 

Born in Norton, Virginia, she moved with her family to Dunkirk at a young age and graduated from Dunkirk High School in 1977. Debbie was a banker for over 30 years and retired in 2008 as the chief operating officer at First Financial Bank in Hartford City. 

She was a member of Mt. Tabor United Methodist Church and Neighborhood Crime Watch, was a former member of The Dunkirk Foundation and had served on the Dunkirk Library Board. Debbie loved to read. She enjoyed cooking and trying new recipes, traveling, including trips to Gatlinburg with Chris, and most importantly she loved being with family, especially her grandchildren.

Survivors include her daughters, Nicole Knoth (husband: Dave), Fort Wayne, and Lauren Whitesell, Fort Wayne; brothers Gordon Lowe (wife: Ginger), Redkey, Clarence Lowe (wife: Marty), Centre, Alabama, Alton Lowe (wife: Reba), Dunkirk, and Warren Lowe (wife: Jan), Portland; sister Jennie Henry (husband: Dick), Redkey; mother-in-law Aloma Whitesell, Dunkirk; brothers-in-law Junior Price, Dunkirk, Danny R. Whitesell (wife: Carol), Dunkirk, and Mike Whitesell (wife: Brenda), Dunkirk; sister-in-law Robin Hayden (husband: Kip), Dunkirk; grandchildren Sydney, Abram, Chloe and Ethan Christopher; and nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, Chris Whitesell; parents Raymond and Inez (Anderson) Lowe; sister Sharon Price; sisters-in-law Ruthann Lowe and Florene Lowe; father-in-law Richard “Dick” Whitesell; nephews Jarrod Whitesell and one who died in infancy; and niece Theresa Lowe, who died in infancy.

Services will be 2 p.m. Friday, Dec. 8, 2023, at Meacham Funeral Service with burial following at Dunkirk I.O.O.F. Cemetery.

Visiting hours are Friday from noon until 2 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorials may be sent to The Dunkirk Foundation, P.O. Box 202, Dunkirk, IN 47336.

Condolences and other expressions of sympathy may be given at MeachamFuneralService.com.