Donna Jean (Swartzentruber) Crisenbery

Donna Jean Swartzentruber Crisenbery, 69, Gallipolis, Ohio passed away Thursday, January 19, 2023 at Ross Heart Hospital-Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center, Columbus, Ohio. Born October 2, 1953 in Daviess County, Indiana, Donna was the daughter of the late John and Elizabeth (Stoll) Swartzentruber. Donna married the love of her life, Jay Robert Crisenbery, February 3, 1973 and he precedes her in death.  

Donna was a member of Fellowship of Faith Church in Rio Grande, Ohio where she enjoyed serving in various capacities over the years. She was a great help in the design and implementation of the landscaping, and this was one of her favorite accomplishments. She also enjoyed baking for their breakfast nook and took great joy in how much everyone loved her famous homemade cinnamon rolls. Beautiful landscaping and baking were just two of the many things she had a great talent for.

Donna worked side by side with Jay throughout their marriage helping to run a large farm and then later their company Crisenbery Electric, Inc. Being the strong woman she was, Donna continued to run the business after his sudden passing. She and Jay were inseparable for 50 years. All the wonderful things we had to say about dad that he did, cared about, or was involved in we could simply say “ditto” because they were best friends and did everything together.

Donna’s family was her pride and joy, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.  She loved every minute with them and they were all she talked about. Every day that she was in the hospital she wanted us to check to make sure her grandkids were fine. She was the absolute best gift giver year-round, and Christmas was her time to shine. We often teased her about feeling sorry for her Amazon delivery guy at Christmas time.

She is survived by her three children: Leslie (Mike) Dennison, Bobby (Leann) Crisenbery and Amy (Cory) Harrison, all of Gallipolis, Ohio;  eleven grandchildren: Russell (Samie) Dennison, Madelynn (Jeremy) Wilson, Kelsey (Julian Silvey) Crisenbery, Brooke (Jacob) Taylor, Kaleb Crisenbery, Ethan (Brittney) Rider, Christopher Dennison, Tristin Crisenbery, Paige Harrison, Heidi Harrison and Kaylie Crisenbery and six great-grandchildren: Kyrie, Oliver, Julz, Ari, Wesley and Dani Claire. Also surviving are her siblings: Kenny (Liz) Swartzentruber, Mervin (Janet) Swartzentruber, Fred (Gaya) Swartzentruber, Lou (Marv) Knepp, P.J. (Terri) Swartzentruber and Sue (Vaughn) Graber; brother-in-law, Lynden Miller and sister-in-law Orpha Stutzman as well as a host of nieces, nephews and extended family members.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a brother, Curtis Swartzentruber and sister, Shirley Swartzentruber Miller.

Donna loved her family, friends and community with her whole heart, and she was loved, adored, and appreciated more than she could ever comprehend. Although our hearts are broken and it will not be the same here without her, we know she is with God and her precious “Jaybird” that she missed so much. We take comfort in knowing she is healed and whole and we will carry on her loving family traditions for her. 

Funeral services will be conducted 1:00 PM Thursday, January 26, 2023 in the Fellowship of Faith Church, 20344 SR 554 Bidwell, Ohio with Pastor Jamie Sisson officiating. Burial will follow in the Ohio Valley Memory Gardens, Gallipolis, Ohio. Friends and family may call at the church 11:00 AM-1:00 PM Thursday prior to services. The pallbearers will be Russell Dennison, Kaleb Crisenbery, Ethan Rider, Christopher Dennison, Tristin Crisenbery and Cory Harrison.

The family requests in lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Donna’s Memory to the Jay & Donna Crisenbery Memorial Scholarship Fund 583 Jay Drive Gallipolis OH 45631

The McCoy-Moore Funeral Home, Wetherholt Chapel, Gallipolis, Ohio is honored to serve the Crisenbery Family. Online condolences may be sent to the family via www.mccoymoore.com

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