Debra Marie Lynch

Debra Marie Lynch, 59, formerly of Pekin, passed away Friday, June 15, 2012, at Parkland Health Center, Farmington, Mo. following a long illness.

She was born Jan. 5, 1953, in Pekin to Edward and Ivanell Lynch. She was preceded in death by her father, Edward, and her ward Roberta Sue Adkins.

Surviving are her mother, Ivanell of Pekin, aunts and uncles, and many special school and church friends.

Debra graduated from Pekin Community High School and then received her bachelor’s degree from Kansas University, her masters degree from Northern Colorado University and a specialist’s degree from the University of Missouri at Columbia.

She had been a teacher for 36 years, mostly in the Potosi (Mo.) School District, working with special needs children. Early in her career, she taught at American Fork, Utah; while teaching there she joined the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Debra was very active in her church and school programs.

Her funeral was Tuesday, June 19, at Declue Family Funeral Home in Potosi, Mo. Burial was in Sunset Hills Cemetery in Potosi.