Debbie Muril Artz passed away peacefully in her home on January 12, 2026, at the age of 88. She was born on a snowy November 25, 1937 morning in Leon County, Texas, to parents Warren Debs and Willie Merle Shuffler, and big sister Glenda.
The family soon moved to Houston where post-depression jobs were more plentiful. Debbie attended Reagan High School in the Heights and was a proud member of the Reagan High School Redcoats marching band in the 1950s.
Debbie met the love of her life, Paul, after he returned from serving in the Korean War with the United States Navy and where he received three battle stars. They married in May of 1955. Debbie raised two children: Dennis and Gina.
Debbie was an avid and accomplished seamstress and sewed many, many clothes. Then she discovered quilting and she quilted up to the last day of her life.
Travel was another of her favorite things. As a young adult, she would fly with her pilot-husband all over Texas and once to Florida. But as the kids grew, Paul and Debbie took road trips in a converted VW bus, tents, pop-up tents, 15’ Scotty Highlander, bumper pull campers and motor homes. Their favorite places to go were Davy Crockett National Forest, San Luis Pass, Marina Village in Livingston, a family place in Centerville and to visit family in Hope, Arkansas.
Debbie played the piano and took pride in playing duets with her daughter. She enjoyed watching and cheering her son on in his baseball and football games. She loved reading, crossword puzzles and watching Gunsmoke and Wheel of Fortune. She could guess the answers on Wheel of Fortune faster than any one!
Debbie is survived by her husband of 70 years, Paul Artz; her son, Dennis Artz and fiancée Tricia Morley; her daughter, Gina Andrews and husband Wesley; grandchildren, Deron Artz and wife Brandie, Benjamin Artz and wife Emily, Laura Williams and husband Adam, Trae (Wesley III) and wife Brenda, Kevin Andrews and wife Debra, Daniel Andrews and wife Carie; great-grandchildren, Christian Andrews, Katelyn Andrews and Colton Briggs; and three great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sister, Glenda Knoll, many nieces and nephews, and her loving feline companion, Katelyn.
Debbie was preceded in death by her parents, Warren Debs and Willie Merle Shuffler, and her grandson, Michael Del Artz.
A visitation will be held on January 22, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 2:00 pm at Cashner Funeral Home, located at 801 Teas Road, Conroe, TX 77303. The funeral service will follow at the same location from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm. A committal service will take place at Garden Park Cemetery, 801 Teas Rd, Conroe, TX 77303, from 3:00 pm to 3:30 pm on January 22, 2026.
