Deborah K. Johns (nee Kresyman) April 20, 1951 – June 19, 2026

Beloved wife for 50 years of Laurence E. Johns, adoring mother of Ryan (Maria) Johns and Lauren Lemley (nee Johns), loving grandmother of Weston and Carson Lemley, eldest daughter of the late Joseph and Margaret Kresyman, dear sister of Lynn Lampe and Wayne Kresyman. Preceded in death by her brothers, Dean Kresyman and Grant Kresyman. Dear aunt, great-aunt, niece, cousin and friend to many.

Debby was truly one of a kind. She had an infectious personality, a contagious laugh, and a larger-than-life presence. She never met a stranger and made friends wherever she went. Known for speaking her mind, she delighted in making others laugh, even if it meant a little embarrassment along the way. She championed the underdog, found joy in encouraging others, and often served as an unexpected inspiration and mentor. She was the spark that brought people together and had a remarkable ability to make others feel welcome. She had a gift for making every gathering more memorable and her vibrant spirit left a lasting impression on everyone who knew her. She was the life of the party.

A lifelong Disney enthusiast and devoted Mickey Mouse collector, Debby’s love of Disney began when she attended Disneyland’s inaugural season with her parents and had the opportunity to meet original Mouseketeers Karen and Cubby.

Debby attended St. Joan of Arc Catholic School in South St. Louis, and graduated from Parkway West High School in 1969, where she was voted “Most Athletic” by her classmates. She later earned a degree in Illustration from Meramec Community College and served on the college’s Technical Illustration Department Advisory Board for 13 years. A gifted artist, she excelled in watercolor painting, photography, and digital design. Her creativity and talent earned numerous national awards for publications, artwork, and designs for United Way campaigns.

For 32 years, Debby worked as a Technical Writer and Illustrator for Hussmann Corporation, where she met the love of her life, “Lar-Bear.” Debby and Larry were married on January 1, 1976, at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church. Together they built a home in Creve Coeur and raised their two children, Ryan and Lauren. She adored her children and loved being a mother more than anything else, and cherished her daughter-in-law, Maria. She was also blessed with two adoring grandsons, Weston and Carson. Debby took great pride in the family she built, and her legacy will live on in each of them. She was honored to be the matriarch of her four siblings, Lynn, Dean, Wayne, and Grant and treasured the unbreakable bonds they shared.

A devoted parishioner of St. Monica Catholic Church for more than 40 years, Debby generously shared her time and talents through service in the Adult Choir, as a member of the 125th Anniversary Committee and Book Design Editor, on the Church Carnival Committee, and as a volunteer for numerous parish and school events.

In addition to her artistic pursuits, Debby was a proud tomboy at heart. She played competitive women’s fast-pitch softball for a decade on ASA Regional Championship teams and once pitched a no-hitter in a slow-pitch softball game—a remarkably rare accomplishment. Later, she coached her daughter’s softball teams and taught fast-pitch pitching clinics. She was also an avid tennis player, devoted dog lover, and enjoyed traveling with Larry, especially to the mountains.

A passionate advocate for breast cancer awareness, Debby was herself a two-time breast cancer survivor. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the American Cancer Society in her honor.

Services: Visitation Thursday, June 25th 4-7pm at Ortmann-Stipanovich Funeral Home in Creve Coeur. Funeral Mass at 10am, Friday, June 26th at St. Monica Catholic Church. Interment to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery.

Ortmann Stipanovich Funeral Home
www.osfuneralhomes.com