About This Memory Space
This page was created for C. Jean Swisher's family and friends as a place to remember them, to share stories, and to keep their memory close in everyday life.
It is cared for and added to over time by the people who knew them, and everyone is invited to contribute, whether that is a story, a photo, a few words, or a simple note.
Many families visit places like this not just once, but again and again, especially on quiet days or meaningful anniversaries. This page is here for those moments, wherever you are.
A place to return to when you want to feel close again, to remember a moment, or to leave a few words for others to read. Over time, it grows through the voices of everyone who knew and loved them.
Light a Candle Growing
Light a candle to honor C. Jean Swisher's memory. Each lighting keeps their memory burning bright for 23 hours.
Candle lit burns 23 hours. Come back and light it again after 23 hours to keep the memory burning.
Limited to 5 lightings per hour to prevent abuse.
Memory Wall Growing
Stories, photos, and memories shared by people who knew C. Jean Swisher. This is the heart of this space—a collection that grows as more people contribute.
No memories posted yet. Be the first to share a story or memory.
Life & Legacy
C. Jean Swisher crafted a life of enduring partnership, creative nurturing, and joyful hospitality, leaving an indelible mark on her family, community, and the business world through decades of warmth, ingenuity, and steadfast devotion.
Born in Danville, Illinois, to Phillip and Elma Blankenburg Theurer, Jean overcame Scarlet Fever in her early years and discovered young love on an elementary school playground seesaw with Johnny Swisher. A Danville High School standout—sharing stages with future stars Gene Hackman, Dick Van Dyke, and Jerry Van Dyke—she reigned as Homecoming Queen before pursuing Home Economics at the University of Illinois. There, at Delta Gamma House, she forged bonds sustained by handwritten 'Round Robins' over a lifetime. In 1951, John's poker-won ring sealed their seven-decade union, a true collaboration in marriage, parenting, business-building, and everyday joys like dishwashing and gardening. From Danville roots, they relocated to Indianapolis, where Jean balanced bookkeeping for the burgeoning company with homemaking in her signature blue, white, and yellow palette. Her imaginative spirit shone in hand-painted furniture, sewn dresses, knitted sweaters, and Scout-led escapades, while her unforgettable Halloween witch persona and driveway Foursquare games filled the neighborhood with delight. A haven of laughter, study sessions, and sleepover indulgences, her home extended to a beloved Lake Wawasee retreat, alive with family dinners featuring her signature chicken salad and pork tenderloin.
As a cornerstone of United Animal Health—originally United Feeds—Jean served as bookkeeper while architecting fifty years of memorable company traditions. She masterminded annual excursions to vibrant locales like Quebec, the Bahamas, New York, and Nashville, curating local flavors and entertainments that fostered team spirit. At holiday gatherings, her hand-wrapped gifts for every attendee and artist-commissioned cards for clients underscored her personal touch and artistic flair, infusing the enterprise with stability, inspiration, and a sense of belonging.
Photos of Jean's Life
Family & Loved Ones
Jean's world revolved around the rhythms of family life, where her seasonal specialties—from spring tuna salad to winter pot roast—wove threads of comfort and tradition. She poured creativity into handcrafting treasures like personalized needlepoint pillows and chairs, while her organizational genius sparked Scout bike trips, swimming outings, and caroling festivities. Nightly driveway games and her legendary neighborhood witch cackle created echoes of joy, and her lakeside haven at Wawasee became a multi-generational anchor for shared meals and memories. Survived by daughter Ellen Swisher Crabb and her husband David; grandchildren Jill Biddle (Steve), Tommy Corbett (Betsy), Kathryn Scherer (Alex), and Lillian Cardwell (Zach); eleven great-grandchildren; devoted caregiver Sandra Barron; and son-in-law John Corbett, Jean was predeceased by husband John and daughter Mary Swisher Corbett.
Remembered by Friends & Family
Tributes from across Jean's wide circle evoke a woman whose infectious smile and boundless ideas brightened countless lives, with admirers recalling her as the ultimate partner, hostess, and visionary who turned ordinary moments into cherished adventures.
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