Debra Crouch

Some people search their whole lives for the right road, the right path, leading them to true happiness and fulfillment. Debra Crouch found her heart in the two things that mattered most: her family, and her faith. She was a beloved wife, a loving mother and a loyal friend, and a devoted Christian woman, as well. Today her love, and her faith, lives on in all who knew her.

Deb’s story began on a hot summer day in 1958, in the bustling city of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Those were turbulent times in this country, which was battling a Cold War and heating racial tensions here at home. On August 22, 1958, George and Helen (VanderMeer) Thiel celebrated the birth of a beautiful baby girl at St. Mary’s Hospital, a daughter they named Debra Lynn.

Deb was the middle of the couple’s three children, joining big brother Steve and little brother Kevin in the family’s home. The family moved around quite a bit when Deb was growing up, as they followed her father’s career from place to place. She accepted every move with grace beyond her years, and seemed to fit in everywhere she went. She was very much a normal little girl, with many friends and was a Girl Scout, too.

Deb attended school in Grand Rapids through the sixth grade, when the family packed up and moved to Metro Detroit. She went to junior high and the ninth and 10th grades in Farmington Schools, before they moved one more time, to the charming town of Plainwell, Michigan. There she went to Plainwell High School, where she fit it perfectly (and even played Powder Puff football) and graduated in 1976. Diploma in hand, Deb soon began working at Parker-Hannifin in nearby Otsego, as well as at a local bank.

In 1977, Deb met a handsome young man named Ken Crouch, while attending a party one night. The sparks flew between them, and they quickly began dating. The couple was soon separated, however, when Ken headed up to Big Rapids to attend Ferris State University.

Tired of their long-distance relationship after a while, the couple was married on May 19, 1979, in Kalamazoo. Deb moved up to Big Rapids to be with Ken, and treated Ken’s son Chad like her own. They lived in married housing at the school, and Deb found a job at a bank in Big Rapids.

After Ken graduated, Ken, Deb, and their first daughter Melissa, moved to the Kalamazoo area. It wasn’t long before they were blessed with two more beautiful daughters, Erin and Sara, who filled their family with pride and joy.

Deb was completely devoted to just two things in her life; her family and her faith. She made sure the family did much together over the years, and they had a long-running tradition of eating out at Olga’s together. They also went camping together on many occasions, everywhere from the Upper Peninsula, to Spring Hill, Ellsworth and in Ludington — always Deb’s favorite. She and Ken spent their anniversaries there each year, the favorite of her many beloved vacations.

Deb’s family went on many camping trips and grew to love the outdoors. The family owned a cottage north of Grand Rapids on Blue Lake for many years. She made many great friends and memories on those trips, and wanted her kids to have the same love of the Lord’s nature she possessed.

She was a dedicated mother, who always made sure she was there to pick the kids up from school and spend time with them when they got home. She worked outside the home a little bit, at Pease Packing in Scotts, then Climax Scotts Schools as an aid, and at Scotts Country Store, but made sure her kids never suffered for it.

She was such a loving, caring and generous woman, and a disciplined Christian who read her devotions every morning. Deb was also very involved with her church, the outlet for her powerful faith. She was an active member of the Country Christian Evangelical Free Church for nearly 20 years, and a member of many women’s groups there. In 1981, Ken and Deb were baptized in White’s Lake, and later, after becoming members of the Berean Baptist Church, together rededicated their lives to Christ. They became active at their new church volunteering on Wednesday nights at the Berean’s Youth Program. Deb was involved in two Women’s Bible Studies, one with daughter Melissa, and she was also on the committee for the After Fives Women Fellowship.

In 1990, Deb’s faith and strength were put to the test, when she was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer. She fought the disease bravely even though the doctors prognosis was not seeing her daughters grow up. She had a major operation and went thru Chemo and Radiation treatments and battled it into remission, and remaining cancer-free for nearly 18 years. Though the victory wasn’t without a cost; she suffered many complications, and her beloved family lovingly took turns caring for her over the years when she became ill. It was only through her faith in God and her family’s love she got through those times.

Over the years, her beloved daughters truly became Deb’s best friends, and she was so proud of each of them. She loved being with her girls, going shopping or just spending time together. She would love to watch I Love Lucy and Andy Griffith reruns and go see new release Animated Movies with the girls. And recently since girl have grown up enjoyed traveling and seeing the Lord’s Creation with her husband.

Deb had many other loves, of course, especially for her beloved pets, Mugsy and Rocky the dogs and Blackie, Rascal and Pickles the cats. She also enjoyed crafts, from making jewelry to scrapbooking or making cards. Gardening was another hobby for her, and she grew beautiful roses, zinnias and loved the lilacs. She was an excellent cook, as well, and could make the most delicious peanut butter balls and Christmas-tree cookies, too.

Sadly, Deb’s health began to worsen in 2007, spent many days at the U of M Hospital but made it home on November 24th and passed on the morning of November 25, 2007, in the comfort of her home, surrounded by her family. She is now at her eternal home with her Lord with no pain or suffering – HALLEUJAH!

Deb was a wonderful woman, who lived a wonderful life, a life completely devoted to her family and her faith. She was a loving wife, mother and friend, a woman of so much faith and love. Today her love, and her life, lives on in all who knew her. She will be greatly missed.

Learn more about Deb, view her Life Story Film, and visit with her family on Wednesday from 2-4 & 6-8 PM and Thursday from 6-8 PM, at the Life Story Funeral Home, RDMG, Plainwell, 120 S. Woodhams. Her Celebration of Life service will be held on Friday at 6:30 PM at the Berean Baptist Church in Portage. Deb’s family includes her husband, Ken; her children: Chad Swinehart of Plainwell, Melissa & Steve Spell, Erin & Justin Crown, and Sara Crouch all of Kalamazoo; her parents: George & Helen Thiel of Cooper; brothers: Steve Thiel of Allegan and Kevin & Leanne Thiel of Plainwell; parents-in-law: George & Sally Crouch of Richland, and many other loving family and friends. Please visit Deb’s Memory Page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can read her Life Story, share a favorite memory or photo, sign her guest book before coming to the funeral home, or make a memorial donation to the Kalamazoo Gospel Mission or to a Charity of your Choice.