Dr. Debra S. Reiner, D.D.S.

Debra Reiner, D.D.S., 61, of Sylvania, OH, passed away at home surrounded by family, on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 after a courageous 20 year battle with Parkinson's disease. Debbie was born on May 13, 1964, in Toledo, Ohio, and was the daughter of Joseph and Elaine (Golkin) Shugarman. She was a 1982 graduate of Sylvania Southview High School, and a 1989 graduate of Ohio State University Dental School. Dr. Reiner also did a residency program at the Medical College of Ohio. Debbie served her community as a dentist at her practice, Cosmetic and Family Dentistry, in Temperance, MI, from 1991 to 2021, before retiring.

Debbie was a devoted dentist, mother, and spouse. Her dental practice was truly her second family and gave her great purpose and joy helping others. Her staff and her patients adored her and have countless stories to tell. Almost every day Debbie would come home and talk about the favorite patient that she worked on that day. Debbie and her staff made many trips (with a patient to work on) to Las Vegas for advanced training in cosmetic dentistry and those trips became one of the many reasons that her staff was so endeared to her. Patients always wanted to schedule their teeth cleaning and check-ups for the week of Thanksgiving when Debbie would give out pumpkin pies to the patients. Debbie always treated everyone fairly and with compassion. She would never hesitate to work on someone in off-hours and weekends and gave her cell number to any patient that might need it.

Debbie was also someone who was very giving. She Co-founded the 'Give-a-Gift' Christmas program in the 90's for children caught in the Children's Services system. Debbie was also a lead volunteer in the Alzheimer's Memory Walk program in the Toledo area, in honor of her mother. She also volunteered at the Dental Dispensary in NW Ohio on those less fortunate that needed dental care. And in a last show of giving, Debbie donated her brain to the OSU Neurology Department, with hopes that her contribution will assist others in finding more treatments or a cure for Parkinson's Disease.

Debbie was also famous for her baking skills. She started a cake baking "business" with a friend in their junior high years. She honed her skills and made several wedding cakes, including her own, complete with multiple levels, a staircase, waterfall, and basket weave throughout. As the kids grew up, the birthday cakes included many themes: Toy Story, Little Mermaid, treasure chest, Powerpuff Girls, pirates, dinosaurs, monster trucks, and a golf theme. Amongst her friends, their favorite baked item was her famous cheesecake.

As a mother, Amy, Derek and Brad, would have 'date days' with each of the kids to do whatever they wanted, alone with their mom, and occasionally playing hooky from school. Amy and Derek chose golf cart rides at Put-in-Bay, candy shops, and cave exploring. Brad chose an AC/DC concert near the front row (at 12 years old) and skydiving at 18 years old amongst many of the things they did together on date days. Debbie was also a roller coaster enthusiast and the family got to enjoy many days together at Cedar Point.

As a spouse, Debbie and Matt enjoyed OSU home football games in the fall and rock concerts throughout the years. Debbie's favorite band was The Who, which she saw many times in Columbus, Detroit and NYC. She also travelled with Matt on mini vacations to see The Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder, Peter Frampton, Jackson Browne, James Taylor, Alanis Morrisette, Blues Travelers, Robert Plant, and Gladys Knight. Travel also included Broadway shows in NYC to enjoy multiple musicals there. Debbie also accompanied Matt on bike rides in NW Ohio, especially along the University Trail, the Wabash Cannonball Trail, and the annual Bike-to-the-Bay charitable event for Multiple Sclerosis. Some of the most memorable rides were out of state - The Trail of the Hiawatha in Idaho/Montana and the Virginia Creeper Trail to name a couple. When the Parkinson's Disease became too much for the longer rides, she graduated to the rear seat of a tandem and then to an e-bike, which allowed her to continue exercising and enjoying the outdoors with Matt.

As an aunt and a sister, Debbie and the family spent many days at her brother's cottage on Clarklake MI. Activities included water sports and hanging out with family.

Debbie is survived by her loving husband of 34 years, Matt; children Amy Reiner (Bill Drees), Derek and Hannah (Creech) Reiner, Brad Reiner (Rachel Faber); brother Hal (Denise) Shugarman. She was preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Elaine Shugarman; son Alex Reiner; sister Brenda (Shugarman) Logsdon.

Visitation will be from 1:00pm-5:00pm, Saturday, January 31, 2026, at Walker Funeral Home, 5155 W Sylvania Ave, Toledo, OH 43623. Burial will be private at a later date. Those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider the Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research.