It is with heartfelt sorrow that the Warsaw, Indiana, community notes the passing of Deborah Sue Music on January 13, 2026. She was 71 years of age. Her transition occurred peacefully at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, where she was comforted by the presence of her devoted family.
Ms. Music’s early adulthood was distinguished by a commitment to public service and versatility. Her career commenced in Washington, D.C., where she supported the functions of the United States Congress, contributing to the foundational work of national governance. Upon returning to her Indiana roots, she continued this ethos of service, holding positions at the local license branch and later with American General Finance.
A subsequent choice to focus on domestic life brought her profound satisfaction. She dedicated herself to the care of her home and to the companionship of her cherished dog, “Sissy Sue,” who provided constant affection and delight. This period allowed her to cultivate the serene joys of household and hearth, embracing the comforting rhythms of family life within her familiar Warsaw surroundings.
Her family constituted the unwavering heart of her existence. She shared a lasting partnership and deep affection with her husband, Mike. Her role as a mother was a source of immense pride, guiding her sons—Josh (Michelle) Hughes, Andrew (Ellesha) Hughes, and Timmy (Kelly) Music—with unwavering love and steadfast support. Her legacy was further enriched by the joy of nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild, with whom she shared countless moments of tenderness and connection, weaving a strong intergenerational fabric.
In all her relationships, she engaged with a considered and attentive manner that affirmed the worth of everyone she encountered. Her consistent kindness, offered through reliable encouragement and quiet support, reflected the unassuming generosity emblematic of her community. In a town where bonds of kinship and friendship form the bedrock of daily life, her nurturing disposition left a lasting, if understated, imprint on all who knew her.
She was preceded in death by her parents and one brother. The legacy of Deborah Sue Music endures as a sincere homage to a life guided by civic contribution, deep familial devotion, and the quiet contentment derived from home and companionship. A service to honor her memory will be held at McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapels, located at 2290 Provident Court in Warsaw, with visitation hours from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. This gathering will provide an opportunity for reflection on the abundant warmth and grace she bestowed upon her world.