Deborah Sue Heern

Deborah Sue Heern, age 60, of Thompsonville, went to be with her Lord and Savior at 11:57 p.m. Thursday, June 24,2021 at her home.

Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, June 28,2021 at the First Baptist Church of Thompsonville with Rev. Greg Gibbs officiating. Burial will be in the Evergreen Cemetery of Makanda. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Monday at the First Baptist Church of Thompsonville.

Arrangements are with the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.

Deborah was born on September 28,1960 in Carbondale, Illinois; the daughter of Kenneth L. Cowan and Glenda L. (Stewart) Cowan.  On February 10,1979 she married Kenneth Lee Heern and together they shared 42 years of Marriage.

She worked at the Thompsonville School District as the head cook for the past 25 plus years; and she also was a bus driver for the school district since 2010.

Deborah attended the Bethel Community Church of Benton; and was the Special Occasion Senior Saints Choir Director for Thompsonville First Baptist Church.

She enjoyed serving her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, taking care of the kids at Thompsonville Schools; and she was a volunteer raising money for St. Jude Children’s Hospitals. Her family said she was always willing to help others.

She loved to spend time with her children, grandchildren, and the rest of her family. She was always the biggest supporter and number one fan of her children and grandchildren.

Surviving is her loving husband of 42 years Kenneth L. Heern of Thompsonville; her parents Kenneth and Glenda Cowan of Cobden; two children: Kendra Lee Jones and husband David of Thompsonville, Ross William Heern and wife Bethany of Mulkeytown; five grandchildren: Kenzie Lee Jones, Wyatt Allen Jones, Violet Mae Jones, Penelope Grace Heern, and Cade Ira Heern; a sister Kimra L. Brand and husband James of Herrin; a brother Kenneth W. Cowan of Carbondale; mother-in-law Verna Mae Heern of Carbondale; brother-in-law Terry G. Heern and wife Elaine of Carbondale; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her paternal and maternal grandparents; her father-in-law Ira Lee Heern; and a brother-in-law Johnny B. Heern.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and will be accepted at the services, or can be mailed to Leffler Funeral Home, 401 East Main Street, Benton, IL 62812.

To leave online condolences to the family, or to share memories of Deborah, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com

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