Debra A. Detwiler

Debra Annette “Deb” Detwiler, 62, passed away with family by her side on April 22 at her home in Goshen.

She was born on April 20, 1957, to Delbert and Helen (Thut) Detwiler in Elkhart.  Her father preceded her in death.

Surviving are two sons, Andy (Ali Gotwals) Brubaker of Goshen and Martin Brubaker of Richmond, Virginia; mother, Helen (Thut) Detwiler of Goshen; a sister, Karen (Loren) Nofsinger of Grand Rapids, Michigan; a grandson, Ian Brubaker; and many cherished nieces and nephews.

She graduated from Concord High School in 1975.

Deb lived life with passion.  She was a deeply spiritual and compassionate person, and she shared this with her family and friends as well as through music.  She earned a Master’s degree at University of Northern Colorado and a Doctorate degree at the University of Kansas.  She was a professor of music and directed many choirs at Bluffton University and Goshen College for 29 years.  Her choirs touched the lives of countless students and people around the world, and her impact will live on through all those whose lives were lucky enough to have intersected hers.  She believed in the power of God and music to encourage us to be our best selves and in the healing power they can bring.  She lived out this belief daily.

Visitation will be Thursday, May 9, 2019, from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at Berkey Avenue Mennonite Fellowship, 2509 Berkey Ave., Goshen.  A memorial service will be Friday, May 10, 2019, at 10 a.m. at College Mennonite Church, 1900 S. Main St., Goshen.

Memorial contributions may be made to Heifer International, P.O. Box 8058, Little Rock, AR 72203-8058, https://www.heifer.org/ or Mennonite Central Committee, P.O. Box 500, Akron, PA  17501-0500, https://mcc.org/.