Deborah Elaine Felger Kinnick

AUSTINTOWN – Deborah Elaine Felger Kinnick, 61, passed away late Friday evening, Jan. 22, 2016, at Hospice House.

Deborah was born Nov. 5, 1954, the only child of William T. and Mildred M. Benson Felger.

She was a 1973 graduate of Springfield Local High School, and was a cum laude graduate of Youngstown State University, earning a B.A. in English and Journalism in 1977.

While attending YSU, Deborah worked as a Pharmacy Technician at Gray Drug Stores. Upon graduation, she worked from 1978 to1979 for the Mahoning County Community Corrections Association as editor of their newsletter, "Alternatives,” and worked with disadvantaged youth in a work skills program there. In 2001, she retired with 22 years of service from the Ohio Department of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities as Administrative Assistant to the Superintendent at the Youngstown Developmental Center in Mineral Ridge.

Deborah was a well-known cat fancier and owned many special felines throughout her life. She rescued many strays and gave them a good home over the years. She was also known for her great baking and cooking skills, and her love of gardening and plants.

She will be missed by her husband, Atty. Paul G. Kinnick, whom she married Dec. 27,1996; and uncles, William (Nancy) Benson of New Waterford and Gordon (June) Benson of Arkansas. Her loving cats and her dog, Chase, will also sadly miss her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her maternal grandparents, William and Julia Benson, and her paternal grandparents, Luther and Nila Felger, and an uncle, Gene Felger. 

Family and friends may call from 1 to 2 p.m.,Friday, Jan. 29, at Kinnick Funeral Home, 477 N. Meridian Rd., Youngstown, where a funeral service will follow at 2 p.m.