Deborah J. Schnell

Deborah Jean Schnell, née Ball, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 7, 2026, surrounded by the love of those whose lives she touched.

Born on May 13, 1954, in South Bend, Indiana, home of the Fighting Irish, Deborah was a Notre Dame fan through and through. Few cheered louder or loved their Irish more passionately. Her loyalty to her hometown team was lifelong, and cheering them on was one of her greatest joys.

Deborah attended St. Joseph High School in South Bend before continuing her education at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. She went on to build an extraordinary career, beginning in sales at IBM, where she spent 20 successful years. A consummate saleswoman, Deborah had a natural talent for connecting with people, building relationships, and achieving success. She later founded and led several companies in the pharmaceutical industry, earning tremendous success in each role. Throughout her career, she formed lasting friendships and meaningful bonds with colleagues and clients who admired her drive, determination, and unmistakable personality.

While Deborah accomplished much professionally, her greatest pride and joy was her family. She and her husband, James Schnell, celebrated their 48th wedding anniversary on November 4, 2026, just three days before her passing. Their nearly five decades together were a testament to a lifetime of love and shared memories.

Deborah was preceded in death by her parents, Richard and Magdalyn Ball. She is survived by her husband, James Mark Schnell; her three daughters, Alexis Dever (Ryan), Stephanie Scheffel (Bryan), and Taylor Schnell (Adam); and her eight cherished grandchildren, who knew her best as their beloved "Baba": Finley, Vivian, and Monty Dever; Colton, Gracyn, and Bellamy Scheffel; and Mia and Roman Harrison.

Deborah was a woman who did things her own way. Strong, driven, determined, and occasionally stubborn, she had a presence that was impossible to miss. She loved a good game of cards or backgammon and could often be found "getting her steps in" without ever sacrificing her signature high heels and gold bangles. She had a remarkable ability to break into song, finding the perfect song lyric for nearly any conversation, and she never passed up an opportunity to retell a good joke. Her humor, quick wit, unmistakable style, and larger-than-life personality made her unforgettable.

Above all, Deborah was fiercely devoted to her family. She was always there when they needed her, offering strength, support, and love in her own unmistakable way. In retirement, her eight grandchildren became the greatest source of happiness in her life. Being their Baba was a role she treasured, and they were incredibly fortunate to have her love, laughter, and unwavering devotion.

Deborah lived a full life, on her own terms, leaving behind a legacy of determination, resilience, laughter, and, most importantly, love. She will be deeply missed by her family, friends, and the many lives she touched along the way. Her spirit, her stories, and her love will live on in all who knew her.

Visitation will be held on Monday, November 16th at 10:45 a.m. at The Community of the Good Shepherd located at 8815 E Kemper Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45249. Funeral mass is immediately following, also at Good Shepherd at 12:00pm.

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to ALS United Ohio.