Obituary of Debra Courville

Debbie Courville, 63, a resident of Niles, Michigan, passed away peacefully at home on Sunday, February 27, 2022. Debbie was born in Chicago, Illinois on February 1, 1959 to Bill and Ann (Nocerino) Akers. Debbie attended Notre Dame High School for Girls, then moved to South Bend, Indiana in 1977. She married her high school sweetheart, David Johnson, on September 4, of that same year. He preceded her in death after 32 years of marriage in 2009. Together they had two children, Jamie Lee (Johnson) Barrier and Jake Johnson. They led an active family life in South Bend, spending summers camping in Ludington, Michigan. In 2001, the family moved to Niles, Michigan where they enjoyed their wooded home. Debbie found love again in Joe Courville when they met in 2010. They were married on July 21, 2012. Debbie and Joe loved to travel, spend time with their granddaughter, entertain friends, go to movies, concerts, and visit flea markets. Debbie was a long-time employee of Martin’s Super Market, where she met many friends who felt like family. She was an avid crafter, always working on some new project for the next holiday or baking for her coworkers. She loved shopping, finding special gifts for friends, and sending gifts and cards in the mail in hopes of making those she loved smile. Debbie was happiest on the beach with her toes in the sand and the waves crashing on the Lake Michigan shore. When that wasn’t possible, you would find her in her garden digging, planting, watering, and weeding. Her home and garden are wonderful reflections of her personality- whimsy and fun around every corner. Debbie will be greatly missed by family and friends. She is preceded in death by both of her parents, her first husband David Johnson, and her brother Gary Akers. She is survived by her husband, Joe Courville, two children, Jake Johnson, Jamie (Roy) Barrier, her granddaughter, Briar, and brother, Bill (Cheryl) Akers, and a host of nieces and nephews. A memorial service to celebrate Debra’s life will be held at 4:00 p.m., on Saturday, March 5, 2022, at Brown Funeral Home, 521 E. Main Street, Niles, with Chaplain Laan officiating. Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made in Debra’s memory to the Pulmonary Hypertension Association, 8401 Colesville Road, Suite 200, Silver Springs, MD 20910.