Deborah Ann Milton , 72, of Big Lake, Columbia City, passed away from natural causes at her home on Monday, December 22, 2025.

Born on January 29, 1953, in Warsaw, Indiana, she was a daughter of the late Frank V. and Madelyn (Barnett) Garard.  Growing up in Fort Wayne, she completed her senior year of high school at Columbia City Joint High School, graduating in 1972.

On June 24, 1972, she married Thomas Lee Milton.  They made their home at Big Lake, Noble County, raising a son. Tom died on June 18, 2016.

Deborah was employed by Weatherhead/Dana/CF Gomma in Columbia City, where she worked in the production department for over 30 years until the plant closed in 2004.

Enjoying living at the lake, she liked to fish and grow an annual garden.  She was an accomplished seamstress, sewing, doing embroidery, and making Cabbage Patch dolls.  When the grandkids came along, they became her joy.

She is survived by her son, Thomas (Angie) Milton, Jr. of Columbia City; grandchildren, Abbigale (Derek) Haag, Andrew (Angel Talarico) Milton; great-grandchildren, Phoenix, Orion and Jamie; sisters, Brenda (Keith) Thomas of New Haven, and Teresa Konczalla of Nashville, TN and a sister-in-law, Denise Garard.

Additionally, she was preceded in death by a brother, Steven Garard.

The funeral service is 1 p.m. Tuesday (Dec. 30th) at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City.  Burial is at the Thorn Cemetery near Ormas.  Visitation is from 11 a.m. until the service on Tuesday at the funeral home.

Memorials in Deborah's honor are to the Noble Township Volunteer Fire Department.