Debra J. "Debbie" Whitsel

Today we celebrate the life of Debra "Debbie" Jane Whitsel (Garman).  Debbie was born in Huntingdon on November 22, 1961 to Jane Doney (Ramsey) and Robert Garman, and has spent her life living in the Southern Huntingdon area.  

She was preceded in death by her loving and supportive maternal grandparents, Gladys and Clayton Ramsey; her father, Robert Garman, her stepfather, Richard Doney, her brother-in-law, Terry Whitsel, as well as her beloved niece, Ashlyn Buterbaugh.

Debbie graduated from Southern Huntingdon High School in 1979 and went on to marry her long-time sweetheart, Brian Whitsel on September 7, 1985.  Theirs was a classic love story beginning in Fall of 1978 when Brian asked Debbie to wait for him after a high school football game so he could make it official with her. Their love story spanned 40 years to include children, grandchildren, and many life accomplishments together. They first built their home together in Three Springs on Fikes Hill, before eventually moving their family to a farm in Blacklog Valley, Orbisonia, where Brian continues to live today.  They enjoyed a rich and beautiful life together with their kids and grandkids.  In addition to her husband Brian, Debbie is also survived by three children: a son, Bryan Whitsel, and two daughters, Megan Booher and husband Tyler, and Emily Goss and husband Robbie, as well as three gorgeous grandbabies: Jennika, Adalee, and Everleigh, who were truly her absolute pride and joy and the light of her life!  She is also survived by her mother, Jane Doney and her sisters Linda Clark and husband Joe, and Sherri Buterbaugh and husband Gerald, as well as her father-in-law and mother-in-law Ted and Betty Whitsel, and other nieces and nephews.

Debbie had a compelling and steadfast Christian faith and was a member of Living Waters Christian Outreach church.  From her first cancer diagnosis in 2012, she was confident and grateful that God allowed her the opportunity to persevere and overcome so much!  She defied the odds and was truly a warrior!  Despite fighting these difficult battles, she maintained strong faith, positive outlook, and a personal mission to share her testimony to inspire others.

Debbie’s second proudest accomplishment in life was chasing her lifelong dream and completing nursing school as she was turning fifty! She obtained her degree in registered nursing from Penn State Mont Alto. She set such a strong example of selfless leadership, empathy, compassion for others, and the desire to make a difference in her time practicing as a RN.

That was her second proudest accomplishment, though… her first of course being her family.  Nobody loved caring for the people they loved most, quite like Debbie did.  Cooking was her love language, and she showed love endlessly!  Full bellies, full hearts in her world!  She was everyone’s best friend, sounding board, and truly the glue that held everyone together.  She will be fondly remembered as an animated, quirky, sometimes clumsy or perhaps a tad late, but precious and beautiful woman, completely devoted to her family.   To know Debbie was to love her. Simply, she loved to laugh and enjoy life with the people she held so dear.  

Debbie passed away on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.  Her faith gave her the peace of mind knowing she was going home in the arms of Jesus. We find comfort in knowing she is now whole again, free from any pain and suffering. With that, we can only hope it feels like a warm day at the beach, sharing Thrasher’s fries and eating banana ice cream with family.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, October 29, 2025 at Living Water Christian Outreach, 7735 Meadow Gap Road, Three Springs, PA with Pastor Dennis Hunsinger and Pastor Dustin Boden officiating. Interment will be made at Monroe Valley Cemetery, Three Springs, PA. Friends may call at the Martin R. Brown Funeral Home, 565 Ridgley St., Orbisonia, PA 6 - 8 PM on Tuesday and at the church one hour prior to the service on Wednesday.

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