Lavone L. Debnar

Published March 2, 2026 - 11:02 a.m.

Lavone Lee Debnar, 83, died Sunday March 1, 2026, at his home following a lingering illness.

He was born on January 9, 1943, in Follansbee, West Virginia to the late Roger and Audrey (Blosser) Debnar.

Lee graduated from Warren Consolidated High School in Rayland and received his bachelor's degree in special education from Ohio University and master's degree from West Virginia University in Education Administration.

His educational career spanned 35 years including teaching children with disabilities in Jefferson County and in West Virginia.

In Ohio, he served as Director of the Instructional Resource Center for the 10-county region based in Tuscarawas County. In the 1983-84 school year he and his wife were selected with seven other educators from across United States to participate in a project to evaluate the special educational programs for the Department of Defense Dependent Schools in Bad Kneznach, Germany. Following their return to the states they both became employees of the Holmes County Board of Education where he later served at the Holmes County Board of MRDD as assistant superintendent and superintendent until his retirement.

Education was his career, but farming was his passion raising sheep, cattle, goats and even a chicken/egg farm. Farming with his father-in-law raising grain, and hay was a highlight of his retirement although he had to learn to drive red tractors. Summer picnics, church gatherings, and family reunions including hayrides and fishing in the pond were special times.

His entrepreneur spirit led him in various business adventures owning a motel, restaurants, rentals, and a billboard business.

He is survived by his wife Phyllis (Pew) Debnar whom he married on July 25, 1981. In addition, daughters, Larene (J) Hall, LaVonna (Greg) Gress, grandchildren, Brandan (Ashley) Smith, Brittleigh Cox, Zanon (Madison Brokaw) Hall, and Landan Gress; great-grandchildren, Jace Allen, Lillian Smith, and Myles Hall.

He was preceded in death by his parents, in-laws, Raymond and Margaret Lou Pew, and brother-in-law, Jay Pew.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, March 7, 2026, at 10 a.m. at the Fischer Funeral Home in Warsaw with Pastor James Stark officiating. Burial will follow in the South Lawn Cemetery in Coshocton. Visitation will be Friday, March 6, 2026, from 5 to7 p.m. at the funeral home. www.fischerfuneralhome.com.

Memorial contributions may be made to Interim Hospice of Coshocton or Friends of Yad Sarah, 445 Park Ave, Suite1702, New York, NY 10022.

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