Deb Downard

(From Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary)

Debora “Deb” (Eberle) Downard, 71, entered fully into the presence of the Lord on Thursday, June 16, 2022, after a two and a half year battle with cancer. She passed away peacefully in her sleep in Overland Park, Kansas.

Deb was born in Joplin, Missouri, on August 25, 1950, to the late Jean Frank and Delpha Eberle. She graduated from Joplin High School in 1968 where she was voted Most Young at Heart by her classmates. 

After attending the University of Arkansas for two years, she graduated from the University of Missouri with a degree in Animal Science. At Mizzou she earned the distinction of being the first woman to win Outstanding Senior of Block and Bridle Club in 1972. Deb’s love of animals began early and stretched throughout her life.

After college, Deb moved to Eureka, KS, where she spent the next 20 years working and raising her two children. Deb eventually moved back in Joplin to care for her mother, and in 2011, she relocated to the Kansas City area to be closer to her grandchildren, Aubrey (17) and Tyson (14) Laughlin. She enjoyed attending their sports and school events throughout the years.

Prior to her cancer diagnosis in December 2019, Deb enjoyed genealogy research (as a hobby and business), working in the horticulture industry, singing in her church’s choir (Trinity Anglican in Prairie Village, Kansas), and was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).

Deb is survived by her children, Cody (Colleen) Downard of Victor, Idaho, and Alison (Steve) Laughlin of Overland Park, KS and their children; brother Jeff (Margo) Eberle of Greensboro, North Carolina, along with many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She is preceded in death by her parents and brother Dennis “Denny” Eberle.

Funeral services will be held Friday, June 24, 2022, at 10:00AM at Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary in Joplin, MO, with burial to follow at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Webb City, Missouri. The family will receive friends for a time of visitation on Thursday, June 23, 2022, from 6:00-7:00PM at Thornhill-Dillon. Memorial contributions may be made to the Joplin Humane Society.