Deborah Kay "Debbie" Athmer, 51, of New Baden, died Friday, July 25, 2008 at her home. She was born January 16, 1957 in Steelville, daughter of Jerry and Alice (Gill) Mitchell. She married Daryl G. Athmer September 14, 2002 in Mascoutah and he survives in New Baden.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her father, Jerry (Wendy) Mitchell of Ocala, FL and her mother, Alice Mitchell of New Baden; a son, Roger C. Starks, Jr. of Trenton; step-daughters, Shaina Athmer & Suzan Griffin, both of Bartelso; two grandchildren, Kayla Starks and Samantha Starks; two brothers, Guy Mitchell of New Baden and Farron Mitchell of Fairview Heights; five sisters, Becky Sutton of Okawville, Beverly (Dan) Jacobs of Addieville, Jessica (David) Schimborski of Mt. Juliet, TN, Grace (Hector) Guerra of Ocala, FL and Bonnie Mitchell of Dunnellon, FL; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Bill & Rosie Athmer of Damiansville; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Karen & Terry Mauser, Keith & Jane Athmer and Michelle & Herman Wegmann, all of New Baden, Duane & Terri Athmer of Wilmington, Ohio, Matt & Michele Athmer of Germantown, Craig & Christina Athmer of Damiansville and Kelly & Jeff Elias of Breese. She is also survived by aunts, uncles, nieces, and nephews, two of whom she raised, Jason Mitchell of Trenton and Kevin Mitchell of New Baden, and cousins and friends.

Mrs. Athmer worked at Empire Comfort Systems in Belleville. She was a member of Boilermakers Local 7 in Belleville.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 29, 2008 at Hempen Funeral Home in New Baden with Rev. Eugene Neff officiating.

Friends may call from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Monday, July 28, 2008 and from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 29, 2008 at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois, the Susan G. Koman Breast Cancer Foundation or to the family and will be received at the funeral home.