Debra J. Hales, 64, Had Deep Love For Her Family and Animals
Debra J. Hales (nee Fazio), age 64, of Vermilion, passed away at her residence on the evening of Sunday November 13, 2016 following an illness of five months.
Debbie was born in Lorain on October 9, 1952 and was a 1970 graduate of Admiral King High School. She went on to attend Lorain County Community College where she pursued studies related to becoming a legal secretary.
She had formerly been employed in that capacity for the law firm of Wiseman, Goldberg, and Wiseman in Cleveland as well as in the law practice of Thomas St. Marie in Elyria. For the past twenty years Debbie served as a personal fitness instructor and Group X coordinator at the World Gym and, later, at the Mercy Health and Recreation Center. Her passion for fitness and her pursuit to inspire others to do more was her life motivation. Debbie’s boundless energy was infectious whether at home or in the gym; she kept everyone in line.
Debbie attended Church of the Open Door. She possessed a love for music as well as for the outdoors; she enjoyed horseback riding, kayaking, and spending time at the beach. Debbie’s deep love for her family was unparalleled and equally her love for animals, especially her two pet Jack Russell Terriers, Pazzo and Bella. They gave her joy everyday.
She is survived by her husband of thirty-two years Kevin, by her daughter Heather (Kevin) Riley of Vermilion, and sons Jason (fiancée Yanelis Merino) Miller of Miami, Florida and Brenden (Nicole) Hales of Carol Stream, Illinois. Additional survivors include her grandchildren Chace and Layne Riley, Jose Guache, and Ashley Valenzuela along with nephews Stephen and Michael Fazio and nieces Sarah and Suzanne Hales.
Debbie was preceded in death by her father John Fazio in 2011, by her mother Irene Fazio in 2013, and by her brother James.
Visitation will be Friday from 9:30 a.m. until the time of funeral services at 11:00 a.m. in the Vermilion Campus of the Church of the Open Door, 1230 Beechview Drive. Reverend Bob Gardner, pastor of the Vermilion Campus will officiate. Private burial services will take place in Calvary Cemetery in Lorain.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages memorial contributions to either Stand Up To Cancer or to the Lung Cancer Alliance.
To share your memories and condolences with the Hales Family, please visit www.gluvna.net.