Deborah “Debbie” Lynne Combs, 61, of Rossville passed away peacefully the night of Wednesday, April 5, surrounded by loved ones at Franciscan St. Elizabeth Hospital in Lafayette after bravely battling the ugly disease of pancreatic cancer for almost a year.

Debbie was born January 5, 1956 to Curley and Joanne Crouch in Indianapolis, Indiana.  She grew up in Oaklandon, Indiana, helping at her grandparents' store, playing with friends and older brother, Larry, and showing Arabian horses.  She graduated from Lawrence Central High School in 1974.  Afterward, she went on to earn a Bachelor's and Master's degree in Elementary and Special Education from Butler University.  Upon graduation, she began teaching Special Education at Oaklandon Elementary School. 

On June 4, 1983, she married Robert “Bob” Combs and soon moved to their farm near Rossville to begin her long career as a farmer's and engineer's wife and mother to her loving children. Later she also substitute taught in the Rossville schools, and for over a decade up to the time of her passing, she taught 2nd grade at Miami Elementary in the Lafayette School Corporation. She was also a long-time member of both Oaklandon Christian Church and Brady Lane Church of Christ.

Debbie and Bob have three children, Jennie (Andrew) Butler of Valparaiso, who inherited her passion for teaching, Ian Combs of West Lafayette, who inherited her passion for life and deep faith, and Dani (Kris) Sosbe of Rossville, who inherited her deep love of animals.  She also was Mamaw to her precious grandson, Liam, of Valparaiso.  In addition to her husband and children, Debbie is also lovingly celebrated by her brother, Larry (Rita) Crouch of Knoxville, TN, mother-in- law, Betty Combs of West Lafayette, and many nieces, nephews, in-laws, friends, and animals.  Both her parents welcomed her to Glory Wednesday night.

Her visitation will be held at Soller Baker Lafayette Chapel on Saturday, April 8 beginning at 12:00 followed by the service at 3:00 PM officiated by her brother, Larry Crouch. The family asks that visitors consider wearing purple, her favorite color and the color of pancreatic cancer awareness, to celebrate Debbie. The burial will follow the service at Rossville Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her name to either the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, Paw Pals of Clinton County, or Miami Elementary School.