Debra Lin Van Brakle

Debra Lin Van Brakle, 71, of South Whitehall Township, passed away on Wednesday, November 23, 2022 in her home surrounded by her family. She and her husband, John D. Van Brakle, M.D., shared 41 years of marriage.

Born in Corpus Christi, Texas, she was a daughter of Leona (Botzong) Smith of Colfax, Louisiana and the late Eldred T. Smith. Debi was a graduate of Calallen High School and received a Bachelor's Degree from Del Mar Nursing School in 1971. She worked as a Registered Nurse in Labor & Delivery for many years, including Holy Cross Hospital in Silver Spring, MD among other hospitals over the course of her career.

Debi was an active member of Calvary Baptist Church in Allentown. She helped establish the Lay Ministry, was a Deacon, played on the Bell Choir and was a former Chairperson of the Pastoral Relations Committee. Debi was also very active throughout her community and local schools. Her greatest joy was spending time with her grandchildren in recent years.

Survivors: Her loving husband, John; son, David S. Van Brakle and his wife Erica of Lawrenceville, New Jersey; daughter, Mollee E. Griffith and her husband John of Upper Milford Township; sister, Dona Stephens and her husband Mark of Katy, Texas; 5 grandchildren whom she adored, Ethan, Adylin, William, Poppy and Jane. Debi will be remembered by all others that knew her as a kind person.

Services: A Celebration of Life will be held at 11 AM on Friday, December 16, 2022 at

Calvary Baptist Church, 4601 Tilghman Street, Allentown, PA 18104. A Gathering Hour for relatives and friends will be held from 10 AM until the time of the service in the church. Arrangements are entrusted to the K.V. Knopp Funeral Home, Inc., Allentown.

Contributions: In lieu of flowers, may be made to the church or to the Lehigh Valley Topper Cancer Institute, Lehigh Valley Health Network, Office of Philanthropy, P.O. Box 1883 Allentown, PA 18105.