Debra Sue Hickey

Debra "Debbie" Sue (Rigler) Hickey, 64, of La Porte, IN, passed away on Friday, July 10, 2026, at her home, surrounded by her family.

Debbie was born on December 31, 1961, to Henry E. and Mary C. Rigler, the fifth of five children.

On November 26, 1994, she married Paul D. Hickey. Together they built a life of love and devotion for 31 years. Though they had no children of their own, Debbie's nieces and nephews were the children of her heart. Debbie had several dogs during her marriage to Paul, with Dasia being the one who will miss her now.

Debbie fought many years with renal failure. Through all of that, she always remained cheerful and exuded a simple joy with people and in life.

She was savvy, smart, wore big lipstick, and loved her ink pens. One of her former coworkers remembers how Debbie would hit up the drug reps for pens and then proceed to write her name on each one. Another remembers her breaking out in song at the top of her voice. They said she made work interesting. In addition to her co-workers' fond memories of Debbie, her family will fondly remember how she loved to call into the local radio station to enter their drawings, often winning, which benefited the whole family!

Debbie loved her God and especially the book of Psalms. She loved going out to eat and taking drives with Paul. She especially loved family get togethers and birthday parties.

She made the brave choice to go to Jesus sooner than we would have liked. Though her battle was hard fought, her family saw many good things come from it. Debbie was not afraid of dying because she knew where she would be when she was absent from her body. The peace she displayed with her decision was amazing.

Debbie is survived by her husband, Paul Hickey of La Porte; sister, Marilyn (Douglas) Kollar of La Porte; brothers, Richard (Linda) Rigler of Stevensville, MI and William Rigler of La Porte; and sister-in-law, Iris Rigler of Enterprise, AL. She is also survived by her mother-in-law, Judie Hickey of La Porte; brother-in-law, Christopher (Paige Snider) Hickey of Washington, DC; and sister-in-law, Laurie Majcher of Dominican Republic. In addition, Debbie is survived by many cherished nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Earle Rigler; father-in-law, Donald Hickey; brother-in-law, James Surgeon; and niece, Chloe Majcher.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, at Kingsbury Baptist Church with Pastors Tim Williams and Jason Burrick officiating. Burial will follow at Kingsbury Cemetery.

A time of visitation will be held from 9 a.m. until the time of the service on Wednesday at the church.

Memorial donations may be made to Kingsbury Baptist Church, P.O. Box 47, Kingsbury, IN 46345.

Condolences may be shared with the family on www.cutlercares.com.