Debra Z. Binkerd

Debra Z. Binkerd entered into eternal peace at Miller’s Merry Manor on Thursday, February 6, 2020 after a long, courageous battle.

She was born on April 29, 1955 in Fort Knox, Kentucky to Lester H. and Joyce J. Zwiers.

On August 21, 1976, she married Bruce J. Binkerd at Oakdale Baptist Church.  They made a life in Peru, raising their son, Jeremy.

She graduated from Peru High School in 1973 and later from Ball State University with a Masters Degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology.

In her younger years, she worked at Jim’s Dairy Dip, Eck Adams, and Bona Vista in Kokomo.  After college graduation, she spent 30 years as a Speech Pathologist for Maconaquah School Corporation, sometimes having up to 220 students a year.

Her love for children didn’t stop there.  She and Bruce also voluntarily ran the Miami County Youth Bowling Program for over 30 years, winning her the award of “Coach of the Year” from the State of Indiana.

She and Bruce designed, cut out and painted the decorations that have adorned the Santa House in downtown Peru.  They also sold wood crafts at the circus building and the Blueberry Festival for several years.

Also, she particularly enjoyed going to the JULIETs (Just Us Ladies Into Eating Together) get togethers with her friends.

Family and friends were very important to her.  She took on the role of a second mom to her nieces and nephews.  Many good memories were made sitting along the river and at the annual “Binks Bash.”

She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister Joan Zwiers, in-laws Oral and Phylis Binkerd, and brother-in-law Monte Binkerd.

Survivors include her husband Bruce, son Jeremy (Jasmine) Binkerd, and grandchildren Kiley and Lucas of Kokomo.  Also surviving are sister Sandra Moxley of Peru, and brother-in-laws Neal Binkerd of Milwaukee, WI, and Alan Binkerd of North Manchester, IN; as well as nieces and nephews: Dresden (Devon) Wright of Kokomo, Donovan (Kayla Bradford) Moxley of San Antonio, TX, Michelle (David) Maxwell of Peru, Gary (Beth) Binkerd of Peru, Tony Binkerd of Lafountaine, IN, Wayne Allen (Sharon) Binkerd of Edwardsburg, MI, and Karmen (Ron) Collins of Syracuse, IN.

Visitation will be held from 3pm – 6pm on Monday, February 10, 2020 at Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home, 105 West Third Street, Peru, Indiana.  Funeral service will be held at 10:30am on Tuesday, February 11, 2020 at the funeral home, with Dennis Harts officiating.  Burial will take place at Mount Hope Cemetery in Peru.

Memorial contributions may be made to Logansport Youth Bowling.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home. Family and friends may sign the online guestbook at www.FlowersLeedyAllen.com.

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