Christine “Emily” Depke, 42, passed away at her home in Calvert City, Kentucky, on June 18, 2025.
Emily was born in Mountain View, California, on November 18, 1982, to proud parents Charles and Janet Isele. Having a father who served his entire career in the military, Emily, along with the rest of her family, was no stranger when it came to moving to new places. As a young girl, she spent part of her elementary school years in Japan, where she also worked as a child model. After returning to the States, Emily finished high school and later attended Chico State University in California. In 2004, Emily and her family relocated once again, this time from California to Kentucky. After about ten years of living in Kentucky, on September 13, 2014, Emily married the love of her life, Kevin Depke, and the couple began their journey through life together.
In her professional life, Emily was known for her strong management skills. After working at Tom’s in Murray, Emily took a job as the manager for Applebee’s in Mayfield and was instrumental in opening the new location. She would later take a job that was a bit closer to home as manager for Cracker Barrel in Calvert City, where she worked for some time. Upon leaving the restaurant industry during the COVID pandemic, Emily began work as a revenue agent at Credit Bureau Systems, where she was well-liked and supported by all her coworkers. Emily was blessed to receive the support of prayers and assistance of all kinds from coworkers and executives alike. Among her coworkers, Emily was known for her strong work ethic, contagious smile, and even temperament. Among family and friends, Emily was known for her legendary curly blond hair, as well as her loyal and trustworthy nature. Emily was a voracious reader, loved to cook, and enjoyed travelling with her husband and sampling different cuisines every chance she got, everywhere she went. She was loved by all who knew her.
Emily is survived by her husband Kevin L. Depke, 46; her son Devin Michael Richards, 23, who was her pride and joy; her father Charles Isele, a retired Navy Pilot; her mother Janet Isele of Aurora, KY; her mother and father-in-law Earl and Tina Depke of Paducah, KY; and her sister Jennifer Stevenson of Deland, FL, brother-in-law Robert, and two nieces Grimm and Simone; her sister-in-law Andrea Massey and her two children Aiden and Christina; as well as her best friend Jessica Riddle, who was there with her to the very end.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Charles and Georgette Pickering, and Tony and Pat Isele.
Expression of sympathy may take the form of donations to the American Cancer Society P.O. Box 2167, Lexington, KY 40588.
Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM on Friday, June 20, 2025, at the Life Celebration Center of Filbeck-Cann, 1003 Poplar Street, Benton, KY.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, June 21, 2025, at the Life Celebration Center of Filbeck-Cann. Bro. Ricky Cunningham will officiate, and burial will follow at Hardin Baptist Cemetery.
To share a memory or leave a message for the family, please visit www.filbeckandcann.com.
