Debbie Lee Thayer

     Debbie Lee Thayer, age 70, of Ithaca, MI, passed away Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Schnepp Health Care Center, St. Louis, MI.

     Visitation will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, MI, on Thursday, April 23, 2026, from 2-8 P.M. with the family present from 2-4 & 6-8 P.M. at the funeral home. Burial will take place at Ford Cemetery, Elba Township, MI at a later date.

     Debbie was born in Elsie, Michigan on July 9, 1955, the daughter of Russell William and Waneta Elaine (Kimmel) Nieman. She was a graduate of Ashley High School. She married Irvin L. Thayer, on October 12, 1974, in Elsie, Michigan. They celebrated twenty-nine years of marriage, prior to his passing away on August 21, 2004.

     Debbie loved to dance, her nickname was Dancing Debbie. She will be remembered for her love of Mountain Dew. Debbie was a loveable person and her family and close friends were dear to her heart.

     She is survived by her son William Thayer of Lansing, MI; son Scott and Sunday Thayer of Breckenridge, MI; daughter Tina Barahona and Antonio Perez of Ithaca, MI; ex-son-in-law Miguel Rodriguez of Stanton, MI; grandchildren: Odin, Loki, Dakota, Steven, Cassandra (Robert), Kurtis, Alexzander, Britney (Curtis), Matthew, Kaitlyn, Miguel, Jr. (Shelby), Alicia, Juan (Lori), Jose, and Cristina (Reyes); great-grandchildren: Virginia, Bentley, Rowan, Elliot, Jaxson, Liam, Bennett, Westen, Journee, Greyson, Oaklynn, Amilio, Raelyn, Alejandro, Cecilia, Julian, Sebastian, and Raymundo; brother Bob and Lynn Nieman, of St. Louis, MI; brother Mike and Sue Nieman of St. Louis, MI; sister Cindy and Mark Tullar of Tennessee; her step-father Elton Bigelow, of St. Johns, MI; many nieces, nephews, and friends. Debbie was preceded in death by her father Russell Nieman, her mother Waneta Bigelow, husband Irvin Thayer, also her great-grandson Brayden Wale.

     Memorials may be made to wishes of the family. Online condolences may be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, Michigan.