Deborah Ann Wasmer

Debbie grew up in Murphysboro, Illinois and was a proud graduate of Murphysboro Township High School, Class of 1966. She played the trumpet in the school band. She was preceded in death by her parents, Hilma and Harry Altolff; her aunts, Margaret Gremmels and Pauline Altolff; along with several dear cousins.

She later moved to Birmingham, Alabama in 1982 where she and her husband built and ran American Marking Inc. While he was often out in the field, Debbie was the steady hand behind the scenes — the “inside girl” who kept the business running smoothly while also being a devoted, hands-on mother to their two children. She took great pride in both her family and the company they built together.

Beyond her work and devotion to family, Debbie was a woman of many hobbies. She loved crafting, watching her favorite shows, and happily discussing every detail of them with her children and grandchildren. In later years, she cherished working side by side with her granddaughter, Taylor, at the family business.

Debbie is survived by her devoted husband of 56 years, Tom Wasmer; her children, Tommy Wasmer and Tamra Wasmer; her grandchildren, Taylor Wasmer Cale (Nathan), Cayden Wasmer, and Hannah Wasmer; as well as her “bonus granddaughter,” Eva Davidson, daughter of Tiffany Davidson, Debbie’s former daughter-in-law and a hospice RN who traveled from Florida to help the family care for her in her final days.

Debbie will be remembered for her warmth, humor, deep love for her family, and for being a pillar of Christian faith whose life reflected kindness, grace, and devotion.

The family will greet friends on Saturday, March 21, 2026 at Ridout’s Southern Heritage Funeral Home in Pelham, Alabama, from 12 noon to 1 p.m., followed by A Service of Remembrance for Debbie at 1 p.m. Burial will be at Southern Heritage Cemetery. The funeral home and cemetery are located at 475 Cahaba Valley Road, Pelham, AL 35124.

Flowers are welcome. Those who wish may also make a donation in Debbie’s memory to an autism charity in honor of her grandson:

• Autism Speaks (https://www.autismspeaks.org/donate)

• The Autism Society (https://www.autism-society.org/donate/)

• Autism Research Institute (https://www.autism.com/donate)

• AANE – The Asperger/Autism Network (https://aane.org/)

• Autism Science Foundation (https://autismsciencefoundation.org/about-us/)