Deborah (Bailey) Werner's Obituary
Deborah Werner (Bailey) of Manistee, formerly of East China and Warren, passed away
peacefully at home surrounded by her family after a short but courageous battle with ALS
on May 17th. Deb was born on April 7, 1954 in Detroit and adopted at birth by Edmund and
Evelynn Bailey of Warren. She graduated from Cousino High School in 1972 and worked at
various local businesses. In 1976, she married her husband Gerald (Jerry) Werner, together
they raised a loving family of 3 and eventually moved to East China in 1986. Deb was active
in her children’s sports and recreational events, often bringing snacks and refreshments to
practices, games or wherever her children were. She worked for the local McDonalds for
several years in Marine City, then on to Farmer Jacks supermarkets in St. Clair. Upon their
closing, Deb went to work at Citizens First Bank in Marysville for 9 years and finally retired
in 2017. Deb was an avid quilter and enjoyed making quilts for others the most. Her other
favorite pastime that she loved was to sit out on the deck and dock to look out over the St.
Clair River and watch the freighters and boats that went by. In 2022, they sold the family
home in East China and moved to Manistee to enjoy Lake Michigan and the west side of the
State which they loved. She was diagnosed with ALS in March of 2023 and fought that
battle to the end, never letting it diminish her enjoyment of life or her quick wit and humor.
Deb is survived by her husband of 47 years Gerald Werner, sons Brian (Heather) Werner of
Forney, TX and Russell (Hailee Ridge) Werner of Okemos, MI and daughter Katherine
Werner of Dearborn Heights, MI, grand children Colin Werner (Forney, TX) and Hannah
Werner (Everett, WA), and Maggie her omnipresent Golden Retriever 4 legged companion
as well as several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her
parents Edmund and Evelynn Bailey.
Cremation has taken place and there will be a private Celebration of Life at a future date. In
lieu of flowers, it is requested that memorial donations be made to either Susan Mast ALS
Foundation, ALS Association of Michigan or Munson Hospice Services all of which were
instrumental in Deb’s ALS journey and for whom the family is eternally grateful.
Posted to Young Funeral Home website on behalf of the Werner family.
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