On December 29th, Deborah Collene Kauffman, most affectionately known as "Debi, Mom, Mimi and wife", awoke in heaven to hear, "Well done, My good and faithful servant" after a 10 month battle with cancer. She was greeted by her husband, Jim, who undoubtedly asked, "What took you so long?" and her mother, Obera, who both preceded her in death. Debi attended Elkhart Central High School and later Grand Rapids Baptist Bible College before marrying Jim in 1975. They moved to South Carolina shortly thereafter so Jim could finish a Bible degree at Bob Jones University and then moved home to Indiana where they planted roots and began their family. It was often (and heatedly) debated who actually proposed to whom, but always with laughter and hugs. They were an example of Christ's love and faithfulness to their children, even through the hardest of times. As her faith grew, she was heavily involved at Sugar Grove Church and could be found playing piano for the classic service or by her husband and children's sides in the worship center. For several years she led groups of teenagers in preparing for vocal competitions through Word of Life's "Teen Involved" program. She strove for both spiritual and musical excellence and several students were awarded high honors because of her constant dedication and encouragement. As leader of a single mom's Bible study, she found passion for counseling others and being a firm and faithful example of Christ's love. She never shied away from Truth and anyone who knew her spoke of a gracious spirit and beautiful, loving testimony. She was truly grounded in God's word and wanted others to know Him as well. When both she and Jim were diagnosed with terminal brain tumors in March 2015, Debi's battle cry and tender reminder to all was "God's got this". Her smile and determination through each challenge never wavered. Her attitude was one that encouraged others even though she was struggling daily to deal with enormous uncertainty. Even in the midst of her sorrow in losing Jim in June, she continued to insist that God was in control and His will would be realized. In July, she attempted to return to work after fighting to recover from surgery removing most of her tumor. She had held a position with Meyers Trust Realty (formerly A Progressive Realty) as office administrator for over 20 years and was determined to get back to life as usual. Soon, however, she realized it was time to rest and David and Liz Myers, both her friend and fellow church members, held a retirement party for her that would be a time of storytelling and sharing fond memories. Debi was much loved in the real estate community and it showed in the love and affection others showed her that day. On October 1, Debi was told that nothing further could be done to attempt to treat her tumor, as radiation therapy would be incredibly dangerous at this stage. In a journal, she wrote the following: "The news today brought tears for those I will be leaving behind, but TRUTH, God's TRUTH prevails. I'm going to my eternal home to see my Savior, my loved ones, 4 precious grandchildren and one of my own children for the first time. When I was younger, I always thought God would place me in His nursery to care for the babies. I also hope to see celestial mountains and rainbows but most of all to see HIS glorious face and feel His presence and love for eternity. How can I feel so assured of where I am going? Because I have trusted in my Savior's life, death and resurrection as told in God's Holy Word. There is no "hope so", there is no "I worked for it", or "I hope I've been good enough". It's the assurance of truth. And, as I've said before, it's free to all who believe. Don't doubt. Get saved." In mid-December, after being admitted to the hospital for pain that wouldn't cease, it was found that the cancer had spread to other areas of Deb's body and Hospice was now recommended. When her children went to be with her and tell her the diagnosis, it was the first time Debi appeared to cry for herself. Her family was surprised when she apologized and said, "It's ok, I've run my race, I've fought my fight", again proving her faith and sweet spirit. The tears shed were bittersweet, knowing that while she was nearing the end of her earthly time, Debi still proclaimed God's faithfulness and plan for her. Shortly after, her best friend Gini Bennett asked her family they would go on without her. They said, without a doubt, that they will remember her gracious heart, her insistence for speaking and living Truth, her love for her heavenly Father, and most of all, her love and unfailing faithfulness to her husband, children and grandchildren. She is survived by her daughter, Heather (Sean) Neil and their children, Ronan and Saoirse, her eldest son, Mark and her youngest son, Stephen (Becca) and their son, Kaeson. Her father, Dan Nichols, in-laws David and Gini Bennett, brothers and sisters in law, Daryl and Carla Kauffman and Larry and Margie Kauffman and an enormous number of cousins and friends also await the day Christ calls them home or returns. Visitation for Debi will be on Wednesday, January 6th from 4-8 at the Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home. Funeral services will be held on Thursday at 2:30 at Sugar Grove Church with the Reverend Ian McClellan officiating. Burial will be in Sugar Grove Cemetery. Memorial contributions in memory of Debi may be made to the Center for Hospice Care.