Kay Swisshelm

Kay Erlene Swisshelm, age 85, a longtime New Philadelphia resident, died Monday, May 27, 2024, while in the care of Truman House at New Philadelphia. 

Born in Uhrichsville, Ohio on May 25, 1939, Kay was a daughter of the late Earl and Luella D. Eichel Walker.  

On January 27, 1959, Kay married Robert M. Swisshelm. As a couple they had five children and shared in 46 years of marriage prior to his passing on October 31, 2005. 

Kay had many joys in her life, especially her family, who will long remember her famous liver and onions and bread pudding. She enjoyed opportunities to babysit her grandchildren and had a great love for crocheting, playing games on her tablet, and working word puzzles.  

For many years, she served as a crossing guard for the City of New Philadelphia, having had the opportunity to keep countless school children safe at the corner of Front and East High Avenue. Kay was proud to have been a long time survivor of Breast Cancer and over the past handful of years, while a resident of Country Club Assisted Living Center, Kay enjoyed making many new friends. 

She is survived by her children, Tom (Beth) Swisshelm, Sally (Robert) Mathias, Cathy (Jim) Blackwell, and Cindy (Rod) Murch; her grandchildren, Megan (Tyrone) Brannon, Nathan Swisshelm, Heather (Mike) Lawver, Kristina (Carl) Gerber, Angella Blackwell, Marissa Blackwell, Samantha (Billy) Spring, Andrew Murch and Sabrina (fiancé, Josh Shaffer) Murch; her great-grandchildren, Cooper and Dustin Brannon, Collin Swisshelm, Alexis (Dalton) Bell, Brianna and Caden Frances, Tori (Blaze) Fox-Quillen, Kendra and Ava Gerber. 

Completing the family are a sister, Judy (Ray) Leglise; a brother, Robert (Karin) Walker; a sister-in-law, Linda Walker-Morin and numerous nieces and nephews. 

In addition to her parents, Kay was reunited with her husband; her son, Mark Swisshelm; a brother- Ricky Walker; two sisters, Beverly Donehue and Janice Sanders. 

The family will greet guests on Monday, June 3, 2024, from 9:30 – 10:30 AM in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia where Pastor Dan Legg will lead a service celebrating Kay’s life in the funeral home’s chapel on Monday at 10:30 AM. Burial will follow in the East Avenue Cemetery at New Philadelphia.