Debra “Debbie” (Bentz) Simon, 61, Columbia City, passed away at 8:12 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017 at Parkview Regional Medical Center, Fort Wayne.

Born on April 18, 1955 in Columbia City, she was the daughter of Dean and Laura (Hennig) Bentz.

Debbie grew up in the Tri-Lakes area and attended local schools.  She graduated from Columbia City Joint High School with the Class of 1973.

Debbie was a factory worker first at Dana Weatherhead and then later at Dana PTG for several years.

In her youth Debbie enjoyed riding horses and has always had a love of animals big or small, including her wiener-dog Lola “Beaner.”  She also enjoyed spending time with family, especially her grandson Austin.

Debbie was known to be very crafty and handy, and she was able to make or fix nearly anything.

Survivors include her children: Wade Genth of Fort Wayne; Christa (Kyle) Wood of Columbia City; Aimee Simon of Woodburn; and Cory Simon of Columbia City; grandson: Austin Wood of Columbia City; sister Dede Heffley of Larwill; brothers: Richard (Jane) Bentz of Fort Myers, Fla.; and David Bentz of Columbia City; nieces and nephews: Hollie (LeRoy) Welling, Jeremy Bentz, Jackie Williams, Lindsay Bentz, Josh Bentz, and Jennifer Bentz; great-nieces Natalie Williams and Kylie Williams.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

A memorial service for Debbie will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 16 at DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City, with memorial calling from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions in memory of Debbie may be made to her final expense account.