Diane Debus

On the morning of March 14th, 2022, our dear Diane “flew away” peacefully while holding her husband's hands. She spent her last days surrounded by family and friends at her home in Hanover Park, Illinois. Despite her medical maladies (Parkinsonism: Multiple System Atrophy), Diane’s love of family and zest for life were boundless: she was always smiling, always positive, and maintained her sense of humor through every health-related peak & valley. The light she shared will be extraordinarily missed by all.

Diane was born on Feburary 3rd, 1955 in Chicago, IL, the daughter of the late Juanita and Clyde Ball. In her young adult years, she traveled and stayed for a period in California. She returned home to Illinois and worked at the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; eventually becoming one of their long-term employees. It is here that she also met her beloved husband, Allen. She would often reminisce to her children and loved ones about how she fell in love with him “at first glance”, and how she had even told others, “one day, I’m gonna marry that man.” Well, in December 1982 she and Allen indeed tied the knot. Together they had two adoring children, Kristen Dennis (husband Ryan, and grandson Tyler) and Lisa Debus. From a previous marriage to the late Robert Schlitz, Diane had another daughter, Jennifer Debus (grandson Michael Pina). Other surviving relations who will miss her dearly include sister Linda Belle, mother-in-law Brunilda L. Debus, brother-in-law Karl Debus-López (Tanner Wray), and cousin Edward White. Nieces, nephews, and close family relations include: Sara Debus-Sherrill (Colin), Kathleen Bullock (Thomas), Allison Debus, John Debus, Joe Powell (Ivanna Cortese), Anthony Powell, Jim Schlitz, Lynn and Jim Dennis, Andrea and David Gurak, Brooke and Jason Croghan, and Aaron and Julie Dennis.

Some of Diane’s personal interests & contributions include becoming a certified aerobics instructor in the early 1990’s and teaching classes at a local YMCA. Later in that decade, she helmed Hell Creek Creations, a small home business specializing in miniature dinosaur sculptures. With Allen, she attended Chicagoland science fiction events and in 1995 co-authored a landmark book on how to sculpt prehistoric animals.

Diane’s true passion, though, was supporting & celebrating her family and friends. Through the years, she offered a plethora of memories for her loved ones to enjoy and treasure. From family camping trips, travels to the American West and British Columbia, star-gazing, and even just watching her feed befriended woodland creatures from her and Allen’s backyard - she was endlessly modeling how to love unconditionally. Her unique and witty sense of humor, infectious laugh, and mama bear hugs will be deeply missed.

A Celebration of Life for Diane will be held on May 15th, 2022 from 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. at the DuPage County Mallard Lake Picnic Shelter. The Picnic Shelter is adjacent to the main parking lot off of Schick Road in Hanover Park, Illinois. Outdoor restroom facilities will be available.