Nov.
8, 1952 - Oct. 5, 2009MISHAWAKA - Deborah Kay (Geans) Hepler, 56, of Carmel, IN, passed away October 5th, 2009. Born November 8, 1952, in Mishawaka, IN, Deb graduated summa cum laude from the Indiana University School of Law-Indianapolis in 1994. Deb served as a Judicial Law Clerk for Judge Larry J. McKinney of the U.S. District Court, a Senior Associate at Locke Reynolds LLP, as well as an Adjunct Professor of Law for the Indiana University School of Law-Indianapolis. At the time of her death, Deb was General Counsel for the Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority. She was a member of the Board of Directors for the Indiana Coalition against Domestic Violence, Indiana Legal Services, Inc., and the Domestic Violence Network of Greater Indianapolis. In 2000 Deb Hepler founded the Protective Order Pro Bono Project of Greater Indianapolis, a project providing free legal services to victims of domestic violence. In recognition of those efforts, she was honored as the 2005 Alumna of the Year by the Indiana University School of Law Alumni Network. Other awards include the 2005 Chancellor's Community Award for Excellence in Civil Engagement and the 2001 Prelude to Light Award by the Domestic Violence Network of Greater Indianapolis. Deb was devoted to every facet of her work and will be remembered as a passionate defender of individual protection and rights. She enjoyed gardening, reading, traveling near the ocean, and spending time with extended family at her son's lake house. Deb recently celebrated 37 years of marriage to her husband, Jay Hepler, who survives, as well as her two children, Eric and Anne Hepler. She is also survived by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Geans, and her sisters, Jackie Jellison, Carri Wagley and Donna Geans. A celebration of her life will be held at the Northside Knights of Columbus, 2100 E. 71st St., on Sunday, October 11, at 3:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Protective Order Pro Bono Project of Greater Indianapolis through the Indiana Coalition against Domestic Violence at (317) 917-3685. Final arrangements are entrusted to Shirley Brothers Fishers-Castleton Chapel.