Debra Ann "Debbi" Kelly Hoagland, age 66, went home to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Thursday, October 15, 2026, passing peacefully surrounded by her loving husband and children, following a hard-fought battle with glioblastoma.

Debbi was born on August 6, 1960, in Lancaster, Ohio, to William H. and Martha L. (Russell) Kelly. She graduated from Lancaster High School in 1978 and later earned her Associate Degree in Medical Assisting from Ohio University-Lancaster in 2022.

In August 1983, Debbi married the love of her life, Paul. Together, they built a life centered on faith and family, sharing more than four decades of life's blessings, overcoming challenges side by side, and creating a lifetime of memories.

Above all, Debbi was a devoted Christian whose faith was the foundation of her life. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, and friend who found her greatest happiness in the people she loved and the activities that brought her purpose.

Debbi is survived by her husband, Paul; her children, Timothy (Brielle) Hoagland and Rebecca (Jacob) Shepard; her daughter-in-law, Jenna Hoagland; her grandchildren, Aryella Marin, Luka William, Everett Paul, and Toby Joseph; her mother, Martha Kelly; her sister, Diane Miller; her brothers, Mike Kelly (fiancée Sandra Pence) and Mark Kelly (friend Jan Lewis); and many dear family and friends.

Debbi was preceded in death by her beloved son, Joseph, and her father, William H. Kelly.

To her four precious grandchildren, Debbi was lovingly known as "DeeDee." She adored each of them and never missed an opportunity to brag about them to anyone who would stop to hear a story or look at a picture. They brought her infinite happiness, and being their DeeDee was one of her greatest blessings.

Debbi shared a special bond with her sister and best friend, Diane. The two were always ready for an adventure. They made frequent trips to Amish Country, where they enjoyed visiting their favorite places, including Berlin Farmstead and Ashery Country Store, along with any other interesting stops that caught their eyes.

Debbi was also the ultimate band mom with the Lancaster High School Instrumental Music Department. She loved chaperoning and attending football games, band contests, and other events, always ready to lend a hand to directors and students. Her enthusiasm, dependability, and generous spirit made her a beloved part of the band family. She took great pride in supporting music education and encouraging the students whose lives she touched.

In keeping with Debbi's wishes, there will be no public calling hours or formal memorial service. Her family will gather privately to remember and celebrate her life. Those who feel led to honor her memory are invited to make a donation to the Lancaster Band Boosters, P.O. Box 217, Lancaster, Ohio 43130, to support public school music education, a cause that held a special place in her heart. Family and friends are also encouraged to share memories, stories, and messages of love on Debbi's online tribute wall, where those who knew and loved her can celebrate the special ways she touched their lives.

Debbi wanted to be remembered just as she lived: happy, smiling, laughing, and working hard, with her clipboard tucked under her arm and ready to plan the next project. She had a servant's heart, an unwavering devotion to her family, and a faith that carried her through life's happiest moments and most difficult trials. Her laughter, her stories, and the kindness she extended to others will remain part of the lives of all who knew her.

Two of Debbi's favorite Bible verses beautifully reflect the faith she held so dear:

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." - Philippians 4:13

"But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary; they will walk and not be faint." - Isaiah 40:31

Though Debbi's earthly journey has ended, the love she gave, the faith she lived by, and the memories she created will remain in the hearts of all who knew her. Her absence leaves an immeasurable ache, but those who loved her can find comfort in the promise of eternal life through Jesus Christ and the hope of being reunited with her one day. Until then, Debbi will live on in the laughter of her grandchildren, the music of the band she so dearly loved, and the countless everyday moments that bring a smile to the faces of those who miss her.