Debra Kay Day, of Utica, was born Feb. 4, 1953, to Loren and Ada (Armagost) McNeil in York.
She attended Utica High School, graduating in 1971. Debra served in the United States Marine Corps from Jan. 6, 1972, to April 4, 1984, serving during Vietnam and Grenada. After Boot Camp, Debra attended Basic Administrative School and Service Record Book School. In 1978, she attended Personnel/Administrative School all at Parris Island, South Carolina. On Aug. 8, 1981, Debra was united in marriage to John T. Day in Key West, Florida.
Debra was a lifetime member of Utica American Legion Post #49. During her time in the legion, she served as Post Adjutant, Seward County Commander, District 12 Vice Commander, District 12 Commander, Area C Vice Commander and Department Historian. She was also a lifetime member of the Disabled American Veterans. Debra passed away Feb. 8, 2023, in Lincoln, at the age of 70 years and 4 days.
She is survived by her brother, Roger McNeil, of Plattsmouth; sister, Janell (Steve) Collins of Mission, Texas; nieces and nephew, Crystal (Steve) Lankford of Utica, Bridget (Kevin) Daehling of Red Cloud, Andy (Cindy) Klepper of Wahoo, and Kimberly (Derek) Baloun of Osceola; great-nieces and nephews, Kalvin, Clay and Morgan Lankford, K.J. and Lexi Daehling, Brayden, Hadley and Kasen Klepper, Dawson, Kaiylen and Derek Baloun, Jr.; many special friends and her entire American Legion Family.
Visitation will be Thursday, Feb. 16, from 3 – 8 p.m. at Volzke Funeral Home in Seward with a gathering of family and friends from 6:30 to 8 p.m. The funeral service will be at the United Methodist Church in Utica at 11 a.m. Friday, Feb. 17, with interment at the Omaha National Cemetery. Full military honors will be provided by the Utica American Legion Post. Memorial contributions are suggested in care of the Day family. Arrangements by Volzke Funeral Home.
