Deborah Ann "Debbie" Howton, 66, longtime Harrisburg resident, passed on this life Aug. 27, 2018 in St. Vincent Hospital, Evansville, Indiana. Debbie was born in Harrisburg on Oct. 21, 1951 to the late Darrell and Doris (Downen) Durham.
Debbie graduated from the ADN program for nursing at SIC in 1973 and worked for many years as a registered nurse before her sickness required her to retire. She was a Baptist by faith. She had been a sorority member of the Beta Sigma Pi and had been secretary/treasurer of Harrisburg Medical Association and Harrisburg Township.
Debbie had a good heart and was always helping others. She loved being a nurse, always helping the needy. She will be missed by many.
She is survived by a sister, Kathy Sumner of Harrisburg, and cousins, Niles Downen, Susan Adams, Greg Hodson, Bobby Hodson, Jim and John Ritchie and aunt, Ann Durham. She was preceded in death by a sister, Mary Dye.
Visitation for Debbie will be noon to 1 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018 at the Cox & Son Funeral Home in Ridgway. Her funeral service will immediately follow at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Ownly Williams officiating.
She will be laid to rest with her family at Asbury Cemetery, northeast of Ridgway. Memorial contributions can be made to your local Humane society or Southern Illinois Hospice. You may leave a note of comfort to the family at www.coxandson.com.
