Marian (Debord) Day

Marian DeBord Day, 102, of West Lebanon, Indiana, passed away peacefully on January 30, 2024.  She was born July 5, 1921 to John and Coral (Hurd) DeBord in Williamsport, Indiana.  She attended Attica and Williamsport schools, graduating from Williamsport High School in 1939.  

On July 6, 1939 she married William F. Day.  They farmed for many years in Warren County and raised four children, Ellen, John, Betty, and Bill.  

Marian loved to travel and visited all U.S. states (except North Dakota), Canada, and Europe.  She drove to all 92 Indiana counties to photograph the courthouses and eat at hometown restaurants. She also enjoyed annual trips with her sisters, Martha Pursifull and Betty Hurley, as well as numerous trips to visit family and friends living out of state.  Among Marian’s more unusual experiences were temporarily serving as Road Supervisor for Warren County, Indiana, taking a hot air balloon ride on her 90th birthday, being the Grand Marshall in the West Lebanon Festival Parade, and having the Warren County Commissioners honor her by naming a county road the “Marian Day Road”.

Marian and Bill went to the Indiana State Fair for 19 years to participate in the Pioneer Village events.   Bill carved wooden bowls and Marian helped in the pioneer kitchen.  They also spent the month of October taking part in the Harvest Festival in Craftsman’s Alley at Dollywood, Tennessee, for 17 years.  In 1991 they were honored with an invitation to participate in the Smithsonian’s Festival of American Folklife in Washington, D.C.

Surviving are her children, Ellen Day of Watkinsville, Georgia, Betty Hickner of Monticello, Indiana, and Bill (Cindy) Day of West Lebanon, Indiana.  She is also survived by sister Martha Pursifull of Markle, Indiana, six grandchildren:  Jason Day, Jenny Day, Gina (Joe) Otten, Scott (Teresa) Hickner, Aubrey Goodman, and Cristi (John) Collins, as well as 14 great grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren.

Marian was preceded in death by husband Bill, brother Alby DeBord, sister Betty Hurley, son John, and son-in-law Jerry Hickner, along with many other family members and friends.

The family will host an informal, drop-in Celebration of Life in the Fellowship Room of the Trinity Presbyterian Church in West Lebanon, Indiana, Sunday, February 18, 2024 from 2:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m.  A private family burial will be held at West Lebanon Cemetery with Pastor Steve Poston officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations to West Lebanon Trinity Presbyterian Church are encouraged.

Marian’s family is grateful for the kindness and care she received from the nurses and staff at Williamsport Nursing and Rehabilitation.