Debra L. Antes

Debra L. Antes 71 of Lancaster, Ohio went home to be with her Lord and Savior on Friday, July 31, 2026 at Riverside Methodist Hospital. She was born in Lancaster, Ohio on March 21, 1955 to the late David and Dorothy Mathias. She was a Lancaster High School graduate, Class of 1973.

Debra was a retired day care teacher with a total of 22 years of service with Hug A Bear Daycare and Guardian Daycare along with being a teacher’s aide for Fairfield Community Christian School.

She was a member of Faith Memorial Church, sang in the church choir and was an Operation Christmas Child year-round volunteer. Debra helped with Super Kids, Fairfield Medical Center volunteer with 1000 hours and sang at Reflections Assisted living. She enjoyed traveling and spending time on the beach at St. Simons Island, Georgia.

Debra is survived by her loving husband of 51 years, Ted; daughters, Jennifer (Richard) Addis of Blanchester, April (Andy) Williams of Amanda and honorary child, Anne (Brian) Lopez of Lancaster; grandchildren, Alex, Anthony and Savannah; honorary grandson, Cameron Williams; brother, Warner (Robin) Mathias of Lancaster; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Chuck and Gloria Antes of Lancaster; brother-in-law, Jim (Dannette) Antes of Leavittsburg; sister-in-law, Ellen Mathias of Lancaster and several nieces and nephews and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, Daniel Mathias.

Funeral service will be held Saturday, August 8, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at Faith Memorial Church with Pastor Jonathon Morgan officiating. Burial will follow in Betzer Cemetery, Carroll, Ohio. Friends may visit Friday from 3:00-7:00 p.m. at the FRANK E. SMITH FUNERAL HOME, LANCASTER, OHIO 43130 and 1 hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday.

Memorial gifts may be given to Operation Christmas Child c/o Faith Memorial Church, 2610 W. Fair Ave., Lancaster, Ohio 43130.