Debra Kay Wagner

A celebration of the life of Debra Kay Wagner, 51, of Thorntown, will be Saturday, Feb. 14, 2009, at 12 noon at the Drury & Leppert Mortuary, 2400 N. Lebanon St., Lebanon. Debra passed away on Feb. 3, 2009. She is survived by her best friend and loving husband of 32 years, John R. Wagner.

Debra was born Nov. 16, 1957, in South Bend. She was the eldest daughter of DeWayne Creighton Sr. and Janice (Mead) Creighton, who survive. Debra is also survived by her three younger siblings, G. DeWayne Creighton Jr. of Bremen, Kelly Sienicki of Middlebury and Jason Creighton of Zionsville; six nephews and two nieces. Along with John, she was guardian of their nephew, Connor Liam Creighton of Zionsville.

In 1976, she married John, the love of her life, and they relocated to Chicago’s Lincoln Park neighborhood, where they began their young married life together. They later relocated to Annapolis, Md. in 1986. In 2004, they returned to Indiana to spend more time with family and to enjoy a new home in a peaceful setting of their dreams — along the waterfront of a private water ski lake in rural Boone County.

Debra attended several schools of higher education and subsequently earned degrees in biology and horticulture and was certified as a Montessori teacher. Always seeking new challenges, her career path was diverse and included teaching young children in the Chicago area; holding various public relations/ environmental positions in Maryland government; managing Nancy Hammond Editions, an art gallery in Annapolis’ historic district; and serving as a cabin attendant for a private charter jet service. At the time of her death, she was a personal fitness trainer and Master Gardener.

Not until her mid-30s did she learn to slalom course water skiing. She gave "coaching" credit to John for her quickly excelling in the sport. They treasured their summers skiing together. She first entered the local water ski tournaments in Annapolis in 1994 and qualified to compete in the U.S. Nationals the following year. She earned that national prerequisite every subsequent year. Debra still holds the Virginia State record in the Women’s III & IV Slalom Divisions. In the summer of 2003, she tied the published Eastern Regional Record in a tournament at her beloved Lake Holly, where she and John were ski club members for several years before returning to Indiana.

Debra’s involvement in the USA Water Ski Association included her contribution as a volunteer editor of the Easter Region Guidebook for several years and coordinating the Easters Region’s winter meeting in Annapolis. She also served as a tournament-rated boat driver and regular judge for the slalom event, as well as serving as president and vice president of the Lake Holly Ski Club.

Gardening was her favorite past time. She also had a passion for water skiing, bird watching, jazz music, oenology, art, automobile racing, her cats and riding her Harley. She enjoyed attending Faith Baptist Church in Lafayette. Her favorite Bible verse was Psalm 34:8 “Oh taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.” “On Golden Pond” was her favorite movie, which she frequently re-watched and had most lines memorized!

In 2004, Debra was one of the original founders of the Sugar Creek Art Center in Thorntown, where she volunteered to be Gallery Director for its first three years, worked on several committees and had served on its board of directors since 2004. She was also a member of the Silent Shores Water Ski Club, USA Water Ski Association, Boone County Master Gardeners, Friendly City Garden Club, Sugar Creek Historical Society and a patron of the Hoosier Art Salon.

Memorial contributions may be made to the following non-profit organizations: Faith Baptist Church, 5526 St. Rd. 26 East, Lafayette, IN 47905; Sugar Creek Art Center, 127 S. Pearl St., Thorntown, IN 46071 or the Humane Society for Boone County, P.O. Box 708, Lebanon, IN 46052.

You are invited to visit the Web site www.druryleppertmortuary.com where you may leave a personal message and sign Debra’s online register.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Drury & Leppert Mortuary, 2400 N. Lebanon St., Lebanon.

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