Deborah A. Bollenbacher, 71, passed away at Bridge Hospice in Findlay at 12:50 a.m. on December 9, 2022.  Deb was born on February 4, 1951 in Lima to the late T. Forrest and Eileen (Unverferth) Basinger. She married Duane Bollenbacher on July 1, 1983, and they have made Bluffton their home since then.  

Deb was a 1969 graduate of Columbus Grove High School and a graduate of Toledo Hospital School of Nursing. She was an OB nurse for nearly 40 years in Bluffton, Sidney, and Lima Memorial. After retiring, she thoroughly enjoyed babysitting Cameron and Emerson. She was an active member of St. John's United Church of Christ in Bluffton.

On June 1, 2016, Deb became paralyzed overnight from the chest down.  At first it was diagnosed as transverse myelitis, but later changed to a spinal stroke at T-7. They explained the symptoms are the same, and the treatment is the same–there is none.  For 6½ years, Deb was confined to her bed or the wheelchair.  She maintained as active a life as possible until her body just gave out. Deb had suffered much, especially this summer and fall when she was in the hospital often. Her husband, Duane was her caregiver in their home, and she had many caring aides, including her latest and very dear caregiver, Ana Oliveria.

Deb was a beautiful, loving, caring lady of many talents. She was a terrific cook, a talented home and garden decorator, a beautiful stained-glass artist, and a lady who cared for and loved children. Deb was a co-founder of the entirely local and volunteer organization S.H.A.N.N.O.N. (Sharing Hopes And Nourishing Needs Of Neighbors). [The village had been called Shannon before changing to Bluffton.]  For many years she was the organizer and director of the HUGE Community Garage/Craft Sale each February at the Centre at Bluffton.

Besides her husband Duane, she is survived by son, Noah (Vida) Wakeman of Columbus; step-daughters, Duanna (John) Osting and Spring Cutlip, both of Troy, Ohio; seven step-grandchildren and two step-great-granddaughters. Also surviving are a brother (Randall Basinger of Ottawa, Ohio and Davis, California, and Randy’s three children and eight grandchildren; a brother-in-law, Leland (Sandie) Bollenbacher of Florida and their five daughters and their families.  

Deb was preceded in death by two sisters-in-laws, Susan Basinger and Doris Bollenbacher.  

Services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, December 17, 2022 at Chiles-Laman Funeral & Cremation Services, Bluffton.  Pastor Jeremy Mann officiating.  Visitation will be Friday, December 16, 2022, 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. and one hour prior to the service, both at the funeral home.  

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the S.H.A.N.N.O.N. Club, 480 Shannon Street, Bluffton, Ohio 45817.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com