Jean Swisher

C. Jean Swisher, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away on November 9, 2025, at the age of 95. She was born on March 20, 1930, in Danville, Illinois, the daughter of Phillip Theurer and Elma Blankenburg Theurer.

Jean’s childhood was shaped by resilience and joy—recovering from Scarlet Fever and meeting the love of her life, Johnny Swisher, on the playground seesaw at elementary school. At Danville High School, she shared the stage with classmates Gene Hackman, Dick Van Dyke, and Jerry Van Dyke and was crowned Homecoming Queen.

She continued her education at the University of Illinois, majoring in Home Economics and living at the Delta Gamma House, where she formed lifetime friendships, kept by many years of hand-written “Round Robins.” In 1951, John proposed with a ring bought from poker winnings, beginning a marriage that spanned seven decades.

Jean and John were true partners in every sense—partners for life, partners raising their children, partners in building and guiding United Animal Health, partners in washing dishes and pulling weeds, and partners in building a loving life for all within their circle. Their devotion to one another was the foundation of the family and the company, and their shared vision brought joy, strength, stability, and inspiration to everyone they touched.

The couple began their life together in Danville before moving to Indianapolis, Indiana, where they raised their daughters, Ellen and Mary. Jean worked alongside John to build United Feeds, serving as the company’s bookkeeper while creating a warm, (mostly blue, white, and yellow) home for her family.

Jean expressed her love for her family in countless ways—through her seasonal cooking (tuna salad in spring, BLTs in summer, pork chops in fall, and pot roast in winter), her creativity, and her devotion to her daughters. She hand-painted furniture, sewed dresses, knitted matching sweaters, and organized Scout Troop adventures from bike trips to swimming and caroling parties. She played nightly Foursquare games in the driveway, taught her girls how to study and memorize, and became the neighborhood’s unforgettable Halloween witch, her cackle echoing through the streets. Her home was a haven, filled with laughter, friendship, work sessions, and even dessert for breakfast during sleepovers.

Beyond her family, Jean gave generously of her time and talents. She was active in Ellen and Mary’s schools and volunteer organizations, including St. Margaret’s Guild and Crossroads. Jean’s creativity extended to her love of needlepoint, delighting many with personalized pillows and chairs that became treasured gifts. She also created a cherished family retreat at Lake Wawasee (more blue, white, and yellow), which became the home of the growing and extended family. The lake home was the setting for group dinners, often centered around her famous chicken salad and pork tenderloin dinners.

Jean was the matriarch of United Animal Health, where for fifty years she designed and arranged annual company trips to destinations including Quebec, Chicago, the Bahamas, New York, Washington, D.C., Phoenix, Lake Wawasee, Nashville, and many others. Each trip reflected her thoughtful planning, with meals highlighting local cuisine and entertainment that brought colleagues together. At the company Christmas dinner, she ensured every guest received a hand-wrapped gift, and she commissioned Indiana artists to design company holiday cards for friends and customers—gestures that reflected her care for each individual and love of art.

Jean loved a simple bourbon with Seven Up, a reminder of her easy charm and enjoyment of life’s pleasures. She was full of ideas, always hoping others would bring them to life, and her imagination inspired those around her.

Jean is survived by her daughter, Ellen Swisher Crabb (David), her grandchildren, Jill Biddle (Steve), Tommy Corbett (Betsy), Kathryn Scherer (Alex), Lillian Cardwell (Zach) eleven great-grandchildren, and Sandra Barron, who lovingly and skillfully cared for Jean for ten years. She is also survived by many friends at The Stratford and The Barrington. Jean is predeceased by her husband, John Swisher, as well as their daughter, Mary Swisher Corbett, whose husband, John Corbett, survives her.

She will be remembered for her beautiful and loving smile, her partnership with her husband, her devotion to her family, and the joyful home and community she built.

A service honoring her life will take place on November 25, 11:00 am, at Northminster Presbyterian Church, 1660 Kessler Blvd, East Drive. A reception at Woodstock Club will follow. Burial will be at Oaklawn Memorial Gardens on November 26, at 10:00 am.