Donna Jean Swinehart, 100

Our loving mother and friend, Donna Jean Swinehart went home on August 14, 2025, after living on this earth for over 100 years. Donna was born on September 19, 1924, in Barberton-Norton Ohio area until moving to Knoxville Tennessee at the age of 92 to live with her son Fred. She graduated from the School of Nursing in Massillon, Ohio, and worked as a Registered Nurse (RN) at Barberton Citizen’s Hospital until she became a nurse for the Barberton School District until she retired.

 

Donna met her future husband Donald L Swinehart a returning home WWII soldier, on a blind date. They were married in California on the Bride and Groom radio program.

 

Donna was the last surviving member of “The Club”, a group of Barberton High School “girls” who met every month for over 60 years. She was the longest living member of Barberton’s Lakeview United Methodist Church.

 

Donna is preceded in death by her husband, Donald L Swinehart; parents, Fred and Winona Flickinger; sister, Winifred Tucker and brother, Dr. Ted Flickinger. She will be greatly missed by her loving children, Crysann Kelly (Raymond), Greg Swinehart (Rebecca), and Fred Swinehart who was her care giver. Donna was also a loving Grandmother to Shawn Swinehart (Lucinda), Tim Swinehart (Krissy), Jenny Catalano (Tim), and Heather Kowal (Jonathon), and the proud Great-Grandmother to fourteen great grandchildren. She also leaves behind many nieces and nephews who were very attentive to her.

 

The family will hold a private memorial service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Donna’s memory to UT Hospice Promise Foundation (THK), 4435 Valley View Rd. Suite 104, Knoxville Tennessee 37917 or to Lakeview United Methodist Church, 211 Third St. N.W, Barberton, Ohio 44203. Arrangements by Cremation Options, Inc. (865)6WE-CARE (693-2273) www.cremationoptionsinc.com.