Born July 14, 1951 in Pekin to Bernard Dean and Laraine Althea “Babe” (Weber) Johnson, she married Larry Fay Dial on January 13, 1968 in Pekin. He died June 1, 2022 in Pekin. She also was preceded in death by her parents; her stepmother who helped raise her, Marjorie (Portwood) Johnson; and one sister, Stephanie “Dottie” Buck.
Surviving are one son, Justin Dial of Tanner, Alabama; one daughter, Amanda (Bobby) Collins of Mackinaw; nine grandchildren, Nicholas Dial, Tessa Dial, Lydia Collins, Violet Dial, Tana Collins, Lachlan Dial, Zoey Collins, Ivy Dial, Ailee Collins; one sister, Kitty (Ron) Robinson of Pekin; two brothers, Bob (Cathy) Myers of Mississippi and Greg (Sharon) Farmer of Tennessee; her brother-in-law, Rob Buck of Hawaii; a sister-in-law, Nancy (Joe) Dial of Naples, Florida and several nieces and nephews.
A homemaker, Debbie was an excellent cook and enjoyed spending time with her family, especially her grandkids. She loved to take pictures and to read cook books. Debbie volunteered for Pekin Public Schools District 108 for 12 years helping in various capacities writing grants, helping with seminar workshops and helping teachers and administrators.
She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Pekin, where she formerly served as a Sunday school teacher.
Her funeral will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 4, 2023 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Pastor Judy Steger Kennedy will officiate. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday and from 10:30 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, both at the funeral home. Burial will be in Prairie Haven Cemetery in Pekin.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Grace United Methodist Church, 601 North 4th Street, Pekin, IL 61554 or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Midwest Affiliate, 530 Northeast Glen Oak Avenue, Peoria, IL 61637.
To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com
