Deborah (Debe) Miller, 69 years old, passed away at her residence on Saturday, October 24, 2026, surrounded by her family. She was born on January 31, 1957, in Detroit, Michigan.

Debe was a member of Greenfield Central High School, and shortly after married Kenneth Miller on November 23, 1974. Kenny and Debe moved to Purdue, where Kenny obtained a degree, and Debe became a mother to Josh and Jess. After moving back from Purdue, Debe was a farm wife for many years at the Miller Farm in Rush County, where she prepared meals for everyone and also helped farm with the Miller family. Debe also worked at the Rushville Republican, Rush Shelby Energy, and the Greenfield Hancock Wellness Center.

However, Debe’s favorite job was being a Nana.

Nana was not your ordinary grandma. Nana was married to Pop, a complete kid at heart who couldn't contain himself when the grandkids came around; Nana prepared for the chaos by warning her sidekick, Darla, that “the kids are coming and it is going to be crazy!” These sleepovers with Nana and Pop included nonstop Nerf wars, a literal campground with real tents that were routinely set up in their bedroom, and late-night hot peppermint tea conversations about anything you can think of. Nana also shared her love for the stars, the moon, and the sun with her grandkids, along with all the little signs Pop has sent us over the past years.

Nana enjoyed watching all of her grandkids participate in their sports and was so incredibly proud of each of their athletic and academic accomplishments, but more importantly, she was so excited about the humans they are becoming. She encouraged her grandkids to never put a ceiling on their potential, and she consistently reminded us, with humor, that we cannot judge people by their family members. Nana made sure that each of us knew how special it was that the world decided it needed us. Nana was the best Nana any of us could have asked for, as she always saved a safe place for us to sit. She absolutely adored us, and we adored her.

Debe was also an intellect who enjoyed reading all kinds of books and sharing her thoughts (and books) with those who shared her love of learning and conversation. Debe also enjoyed connecting with the world via yoga, music, and gardening; a couple of her favorite plants to take care of included the butterfly bushes in her backyard and the rose plant that Pop gave her before he passed (it has bloomed each year since he passed). Debe also enjoyed walking through Knightstown with her companion, Mae the Doodle, and traveling with close friends and family.

Nana exemplified true resiliency and grit over the last four years throughout her health journey. Nana taught all of us how to be vulnerable and how asking for help is not giving up; it is refusing to give up. Throughout her health journey, she showed up for herself and others with sarcasm, humor, emotionalism, and hope. It is also incredibly important to note that Nana was 100% of the time the best-dressed patient in any appointment/ office she went into; countless doctors and nurses commented on her style and fashion. Honestly, that was just Debe’s lifestyle – quality livin’.

Again, Debe was not your typical Nana, anyone who witnessed her health journey was inspired by her resiliency and determination to continue to kick cancer’s a**. We know Nana was beyond grateful to spend her last moments surrounded by her closest people, as she called it, her hula hoop.

We are incredibly proud of our new spirit in the sky.

She is survived by her, mother, Patricia Purcell, children, Joshua (Starr) Miller and Jessica (Kevin) Durbin, brothers, Michael (Jane) Jack, Mark Jack, David (Joan) Purcell, Andrew (Gina) Purcell, grandchildren, Jaeda Miller (Skeeter), Harper Miller (Happy Guy), Grant Durbin (Durby), and Nash Durbin (Kenny Nash). She was preceded by her husband, Kenny Miller, father, Max Purcell and brother, Tony Jack.

A memorial visitation will be 2:00 pm until 6:00 pm, Sunday, November 1, 2026, at Stillinger Family Funeral Home, Pasco Chapel, Greenfield. Entombment will take place later at Glen Cove Cemetery, Knightstown.

Memorial contributions may be sent to the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research, 201 S.

University St., Hansen Life Sciences Bldg, Rm. 141, West Lafayette, IN 47907.

Online memories and/or condolences may be shared at www.stillingerfamily.coms