Debra Hayes, 52, of Washington, died Monday, December 22, 2008 at her home due to failing health.
A funeral service will be held at 7:00PM on Friday, December 26, 2008 at the Beatty Funeral Home in Washington with Pastor Larry Rediger officiating. Visitation will be from 1-4PM and 5-7PM on Friday. Funeral services will be held on Monday, December 29th at 11:00AM at the New Covenant Church in Colon, Michigan, burial will follow in the Lakeside Cemetery in Colon, Michigan. Visitation in Michigan will be Sunday, December 28th from 2-4PM and 6-8PM at the Schipper Funeral Home in Colon. Beatty Funeral Home is assisting with local arrangements.
Debra Schipper Hayes was born June 5, 1956 in Three Rivers, MI, the daughter of Ted and Helen (Dykstra) Schipper. She graduated from Colon High School and attended Glenn Oaks College. On May 15, 1993 she was united in marriage to Marion Hayes in Colon, MI. She attended Kalona Christian Fellowship Church and before her crippling stroke in 2001 she enjoyed knitting, oil painting and drawing, since the stroke she loved to listen to praise music, watch sermons on TV and had a knack for attracting stray cats.
Survivors include her husband Marion of Washington, her father, Ted Schipper of Colan, MI, two brothers, Tod and wife Jan Schipper and Chad Schipper, both of Colan, MI., a nephew, Tyler Schipper and a niece, Megan Schipper of Colan, MI, one brother in law: Lloid (Shelly) Hayes of Washington, two sisters in law, Lucetta (Duane) Sobaski of Cedar Rapids, and Regina (Mark) Bjorndal of Grinnell, IA., and father and mother in law, Richard and Eveyln Hayes of Washington.
Preceding Debra in death was her mother Helen in 2003.
A memorial fund has been established for Paws and More, The Washington County Hospital Foundation or a charity of the donor’s choice.