Deborah "Debby" Elaine Breeden

Deborah E. Breeden, 74 of New Boston, died Saturday, May 27, 2023, at her home, surrounded by her families love. Funeral services will be Thursday, June 1^st at 11:00 AM at The Aledo United Methodist Church. The visitation is Wednesday from 4 to 7 PM at Speer Funeral Home, Aledo. Memorials may be made to the Aledo United Methodist Church. Condolences may be left at speerfuneralhome.com.

Deborah Elaine Kline was born October 14, 1948, in Champaign, Illinois to Dr. Eldon E. & Carol Elaine (Perkins) Kline. She attended Gibson City, Illinois schools, graduating from GCHS in 1966. Debby then attended Illinois State University majoring in special education with a minor in art.

Debby and Bill Breeden were married in Gibson City on August 31, 1969. They moved to Aledo, Illinois where they began their teaching careers in the fall of 1970. Debby’s first classroom was a makeshift room in a house next to the United Methodist Church in Aledo. The next year she moved to Apollo Elementary School where she taught special education until son Matt was born in 1975. Debby loved being a stay-at-home mom for a while. She cherished being a wife, mom, mother-in-law, and especially a grandma. Debby was also very active in Bill’s coaching career, creating many school logos, mascot drawings and mementos for many wrestlers and footballers.

Her next job was a special education teacher at New Boston Elementary where she loved the town, students, and staff. Debby became the principal at the school also, after completing her type 75 administrative degree. She always considered these the best years of her teaching career. She finished her career as a behavioral specialist at Western Illinois Special Education Co-Op. Debby was always an advocate for special needs children and assisted many parents in Mercer County to get service for their Children.

Debby loved her faith and her church. She worked tirelessly on many church projects and committees. Her love of God was most important to her. Her friends knew her as loyal, fun, loving, and talented. She was an accomplished piano player and artist, creating many murals and pictures. But most of all they will remember her love and concern not only for her family but for all those she encountered.

Debby is survived by her husband, Bill; son and daughter-law, Matt & Jamie Breeden; Grandchildren: Whitney & fiancé, Tyler Bridgford, Elaina and Kale; sisters, Susan Schroeder, Sarah Meador and a brother Phil Kline. She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Cindy Tompkins.