Born July 29, 1962 in Pekin to Clarence and Mary Ellen (Smallwood) Sheets, she married her high school sweetheart Gene Cornwell January 28, 1980 in Pekin. He died August 10, 2019. She was also preceded in death by her parents and one brother, Steve Sheets.
Surviving are three children, Gena Goss and Jason Cornwell, both of Pekin and Justin (Brooke) Cornwell of Mapleton; five grandchildren, Sydney, Cole, Carter, Riley and Lilly and four siblings, Ellen Sheets of Pekin, Karen Ball of Wister, Oklahoma, Kevin (Janie) Sheets of Newberry, South Carolina and Michele (Allen) O’Ben of Livermore, Maine.
Deb worked at Burger king 30 years starting when she was 16 and working her way up to general manager. She also worked in sterilization at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center for eight years before retiring in 2016.
She loved reading and camping at Evening Star Campground in Havana.
The family would like to thank Debra’s sister, Ellen, for taking such good care of her the last three years.
Cremation has been accorded by Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes and Crematory in Pekin. A celebration of Debra's life will be from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. August 20, 2022 at the Pekin Moose Lodge at 2605 Broadway Street. Join us for food and to share a story if you would like to.
Memorial contributions may be given to Alzheimer’s Association, Central Illinois Chapter, 614 West Glen Avenue, Peoria, Illinois 61614.
To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com
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