Deborah J. Stansberry Obituary
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, October 2, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. at Joldersma & Klein Funeral Home, 917 S. Burdick St., Kalamazoo. Anyone wishing to share a story or memory about Deb will be invited to do so. Friends may call on the family one hour prior to the service at the funeral home, beginning at 2:00 p.m. Memorial Contributions may be made to Gift of Life of Michigan, in c/o the funeral home.
Deborah June Stansberry age 65 of Portage passed away Tuesday afternoon, September 22, 2026. Deb was born in Anniston, Alabama on March 4, 1961, the daughter of Edward and Betty (Milneck) Odenwald. On January 5, 1981, she married Eugene Stansberry who survives her. Many people will remember Deb as a cashier at Hardings, where she was deeply loved. Her colleagues adored her. She had many customers who would wait in her line so they could have her as their cashier. She had the ability to make others feel loved and appreciated. In her spare time, she enjoyed watching football and the Detroit Tigers. She enjoyed oceans, beaches and sea turtles. Deb was a generous person who gave of herself throughout her life. She had been a bone marrow donor and at the time of her death donated her organs so others could live. She was a wonderful wife and mother. She was one only a few people that could connect with her autistic grandson, Cooper. The family finds comfort in knowing that she has been reunited with her son Rob, who died in 2019. Besides her husband Deb is survived by her children, Tracy (Jill) Stansberry, Tony (Paula) Stansberry, Amanda (Max) West; daughter in law, Amber Stansberry; grandchildren, Deacon Heckert, Drake Stansberry, Amber (Yasser) Bahhy, Kellie (Jason) Cater, Zachary (Rebecca) Albright, Megan (Richard) Silsbe, Hailey Stansberry, Cooper West, Lucy West, Maxwell Thompson, Jr., Lincoln Thompson, Rachel Thompson; great grandchildren, Zara Bahhy, Avina Bahhy, Cynthia Silsbe, and two more on the way; sisters, Anita VanTrease, LeeAnne Schaefer; brother, John Odenwald; several nieces and nephews; and many, many friends. Deb was preceded in death by her parents; son, Robert Stansberry; two sisters; and four brothers.
