Obituary of Debra Ryono

Debra "Debi" Shirley Ryono May 19, 1953 - March 28, 2012 Debra Shirley Werner was born in Monroe on May 19, 1953. She was the daughter of the late Victor Werner and Violet (Boike) Michaels. Debra was a 1971 graduate of Monroe High School. She attended Michigan State University and graduated from UCLA obtaining her Bachelor's in Journalism. In 1974, Debi married Robert Ryono in Monroe. They raised their family in California living there for 32 years prior to moving back to Monroe in August of 2009. Over the years Debi served as a Journalist, Editor and Publisher for several different media organizations. Her employment included the Los Angeles Times, Ventura County Star, Worth Magazine, and the Monroe Evening News. She was very civic minded and was active with many organizations in Ventura County including being a member and president of Rotary, the Chamber of Commerce, president of Historical Society, and the Red Hat Society. She was a founding member and extremely active with Moor Park Presbyterian Church. While living in Monroe she had attended Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Debra Shirley Ryono, age 58 of Monroe, passed away Wednesday, March 28, 2012 in her home. Her passing was preceded by her father in June of 1991. To cherish her memory, Debi leaves a beloved husband Robert of Monroe; two daughters: Catherine (Levi Rogers) Ryono of Salt Lake City, Utah, Erin (Ron) Werner of Bend, Oregon; her mother: Violet and Ervin Michaels of Monroe; her grandmother: Annie Boike of New Hudson, Michigan; two sisters: Vickie S. Dylenski of Canfield, Ohio, Paula Ernest of Monroe; four brothers: Keith H. Werner of Monroe, Melvin H. (Deborah) Werner of Monroe, Gary (Vickie) Werner of Monroe, Randy N. Roberts of Carleton; two brothers-in-law: Dennis (Lauri) Ryono of Minneapolis, Minnesota, Jim (Deborah) Ryono of Playa Del Rey, California; one granddaughter: Dylan Werner; and eighteen nieces and nephews in Michigan and California. Friends may gather from 2:00-8:00pm, Friday, March 30, 2012 at Merkle Funeral Service, 2442 North Monroe (734) 384-5185. A Celebration of Her Life will take place at 1:00pm, Saturday, March 31, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 2275 South Custer. Reverend Katherine Kolodziejczyk, pastor of the church, and Ron Werner co-officiating. In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to Lutheran World Relief or Good Shepherd Lutheran Church. Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort, share a photo, or make a donation by visiting www.merklefs.com; Online Tributes page.