Debra C. Zernhel

You may stream the service at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 by clicking here.



Debra is preceded in death by her loving and devoted husband Harold (Butch) Paul Zernhel Sr., as well as her mother Elnora Barr and father Owen Johnson.

Debra was born in Toledo, Ohio where she attended Good Shephard grade school and Waite High School. Debbie and Butch were married in December of 1972 until his death in 2005. Debbie was a kindhearted, very funny and sociable person. She was a displayer for Home Interiors and Gifts for many years and then went on to work for Catherine's clothing store as a manager for over ten years. She has one daughter, Rebecka Justen of Perrysburg, Ohio. Granddaughter, Victoria Zernhel and Debbie were very close and spent a lot of time together. Tori loved her "Babba". They always loved to shop together but never shared with Papa how much they purchased.

Debbie had "the gift of gab" and enjoyed long phone calls and conversations with her siblings, friends and family. She always enjoyed having company and people around her and liked to entertain and cook for her guests. Many laughs and pots of coffee were had at her kitchen table. Debbie was an avid decorator and could make the simplest things beautiful. You were always welcome in her home, and she was always willing to lend a hand or an ear to help. She loved to spend time with her grandsons, Michael and Samuel Justen. Ella Winters, her Great granddaughter looked up to her and loved her so very much! Her grandchildren were truly the apple of her eye.

When she and Butch were married, she acquired more family with loving and open arms. This probably came as no surprise considering the 11 siblings she shared a home with growing up. Her siblings were always very important to her, and she cherished the stories and the time they shared. She will be happy to meet those again in Heaven and watch over those who are still with us. They are as follows…the late Nancy Meiring, the late Walter Johnson, the late Connie Scott, the late Patricia Shellhammer, the late Owen (Bud) Johnson, Edward Johnson, Theresa Tomsic, Thomas Barr, Brenda McDaniels, and the twins, Daniel Barr and Dennis Barr.

She also leaves behind her step children, Harold (Butchie) Zernhel, Jr. (Amber & Rick Folger, Misty and Bill Holman), Michael Zernhel, the late Coreena Zernhel (David, Roger, Daniel, Mandy), Jackie Monhollen (Brandon and Samantha, Alyssa and Josh, Shelby), Terri and Tim Brand (Katie and Daniel, Matthew and Elizabeth) and many Great grandchildren.

Debra was fortunate to have MANY people she loved and loved her including her longtime partner of 16 years, Thomas Milligan. She will be missed by a plethora of family and friends from her life who always knew they had an invitation at her kitchen table.

You probably didn't even know she had your birthday memorized. Much love.


A visitation will be held on Tuesday, April 23, 2024 from 11:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. with a service beginning at 4:00 p.m. at Newcomer Funeral Home - Southwest Chapel at 4752 Heatherdowns Blvd. Toledo, OH 43614.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society in Deb's honor.

Debra will be laid to rest privately with her family at St. Richard's Cemetery in Swanton, OH