Karen Swelbar

Karen G. Swelbar, 77, of Chester, passed, Wednesday, January 6, 2021, surrounded by her loving family, at East Liverpool City Hospital.

Born, March 27, 1943, in Wheeling, she was a daughter of the late Roy and Mildred Bumgardner Snyder.

In 2004 Karen was preceded in death by her husband Pastor Kenneth Swelbar. She was also preceded by her siblings, Kathy Damaska and Donald Milliken.

Karen was a graduate of Cadiz High School Class of 1960. She had established a career as a saleswoman at various companies, East Liverpool Chrysler Central Service, Biggio Ford in Steubenville, and numerous furniture stores.

She was a devout Christian and had a personal relationship with Jesus Christ her Lord and Savior. Karen was a member of the First Christian Church in Chester. She devoted her life to serving others by cooking meals, baking cookies, and most importantly simply loving people. She enjoyed attending bible studies and singing gospel music. She was a member of the Light House Trio and she served on the board of the Gospel Music Festival.  

Her memory will be left to cherish by her son, Scott Swelbar, and his wife JoEllyn of Hamilton, OH.; daughter, Teresa Gilmore and her husband Patrick of Chester; sisters, Miriam Workley and her husband Lynn of Scio, OH. and Nila Swallie and her husband Allen of Barnesville, OH.; grandchildren, Caleb (Kayla) Swelbar of Erlanger, KY., Jake (Ali) Swelbar of Dayton, OH., Zach (Hannah) Swelbar of Cincinnati, and Kayla and Sean Gilmore of Chester.

Minister Paul Giffen will celebrate Karen’s life, Monday, January 11, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. at the First Church of Christ in Cadiz, OH. Friends may visit at the Church 3 hours prior to the service from 11:00AM-2:00PM. Additional visitation will be held Sunday, January 10, 2021, at the Arner Funeral Chapel in Chester from 4:00 PM-7:00 PM.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Karen Swelbar, please visit our floral store.