Debra Seewald

Debra Marie Seewald, age 67, passed away on January 23, 2026, in her beloved hometown of Muskegon, Michigan. She was born on June 1, 1958, to William and Helen (Japenga) Balaban. Debra was a cherished daughter, devoted wife, and loving mother. A proud graduate of Fruitport High School, Class of 1976, she married the love of her life, David Seewald, on November 4, 1978.

For over fifteen years, Debra dedicated herself as a cook at Muskegon General Hospital, where her culinary talents nourished both patients and staff. Her passion for cooking extended far beyond her career, as she delighted in preparing meals for family gatherings, bringing joy and comfort to those she loved.

Debra would do anything for anyone and had an incredibly big heart. She also had a way of letting you know exactly what she was thinking - whether with a look, a point of the finger, or a few honest words. She was strong and straightforward, yet deeply kind, and she cared for others without hesitation.

Though traveling did not come naturally to Debra, she embraced it through Dave's encouragement and the love they shared. Over time, she grew to enjoy their journeys on the open road on their Yamaha touring motorcycle. They frequently wintered in Alamogordo, New Mexico, and enjoyed camping at Seng's Lake Campground near Hesperia, and were previous members of the Travel Trailer Club of the Midwest (TTCM). She also delighted in playing cards and board games, enjoying the camaraderie of "Dirty Marbles" and "Dummy Rummy," among many other games, and creating beautiful ceramics. Debra had a special love for butterflies and Christmas, and her greatest joy was spending time with her daughter, Amy.

Debra is survived by her devoted husband, David Seewald; her beloved daughter, Amy (Ringgo) Alexander; and her brothers, Peter "Pete" Balaban and William "Bill" Balaban (Barb). She also leaves behind cherished nieces and nephews, including Sara Balaban, Mitchell Balaban, Ryan Snyder, and Brian Seewald (Sonya), who was a great support to the family; special cousins Cindy Dexter-Schucker (Mike) and Richard Seewald; as well as those she loved as family, including Nina Cooper (Brandon), whom Debra lovingly considered another daughter and jokingly called her "pillow dealer," and Nina's sister, Beth Miller, Debra's devoted caregiver who was very dear to her and the family.

A Celebration of Life honoring Debra will be held at a later date, where family and friends will gather to share memories and celebrate her remarkable life. Details will be announced and may be found at www.clockfuneralhome.com, where you are invited to share memories and sign the online guestbook.

Debra's spirit will continue to shine brightly in the hearts of all who knew and loved her, and her legacy of love, warmth, and kindness will live on forever.