Debra J. Shewmaker

April 5, 1951 - January 16, 2021

Dateline: Bethalto Debra J. Shewmaker, 69, passed away at 5:20 p.m. Saturday, January 16, 2021 at Josie Harper Hospice House in Omaha, Nebraska. She was born on April 5, 1951 in Wood River, Illinois. She was the daughter of Bobbie J. Aljets and Margie L. Aljets. Debbie married John N. Shewmaker on June 7, 1969 at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Wood River, Illinois. John, Debbie, and their son, Jeff, moved to Tucson, Arizona in 1976 where she was an accountant and spent her time exploring ghost towns, hiking, and traveling with her family. Debbie returned to Illinois with her family in 1994, while continuing her career and eventually retiring to spend time with family and friends. Debbie enjoyed traveling to the Amish Country, quilting, cooking, and spending time with her granddaughter, Jenna. She is survived by her son and daughter-in-law, Jeff and Nichole Shewmaker of Omaha, Nebraska, a granddaughter, Jenna Shewmaker, a sister, Donna (Dennis) Rosenkranz of Santa Clause, Indiana, and a niece, Haley (Alex) Huther, a sister-in-law, Donna Tarrant of Virginia Beach, Virginia, and her niece, Toni Biffle. She is also survived by several cousins and friends. Visitation will be on Sunday, January 24, 2021 from 10 am until 12 pm at Elias, Kallal and Schaaf Funeral Home in Bethalto, where funeral services will be held on Monday, January 25, 2021. Pastor Kale Hanson will officiate. Burial will follow at Rose Lawn Memory Gardens in Bethalto. Memorials can be made to Zion Lutheran Church and/or School. Online condolences and guest book may be found at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com