Helen Jean (Kessinger) Cruse

Helen Jean Cruse 94 of New Washington, IN passed away on Sunday December 31, 2023, at the Beehive Home in Scottsburg, IN.

Jean was born on August 24, 1929, in Newark, Delaware to Thomas and Gladys Kessinger.  She married Ervin Russell Cruse on November 22, 1950.  He preceded her in death on August 30, 1997.  She was a retired employee of Madison State Hospital and a member of Kingdom Life Church in Sellersburg, IN.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, Russell Cruse, brothers, Robert, John William and Rudy Kessinger and her son-in-law, Charles Schwinn.

She is survived by her five children, Joan Ison (Doc) of Marysville, IN, Leighton Cruse of Louisville, KY, Mary Arthur (Butch) of New Washington, IN  Melanie Schwinn of Jeffersonville, IN, and Tim Cruse (Barbara) of Louisville, KY; grandchildren, Shannon Arthur, Amy Ellison, Jeremy Ison, Lori Cecil, Dock Ison, Matthew Arthur, Leslie Kelley, David Schwinn, Chris Schwinn, Stephanie Simpson, Candace Zuege, and Carmen Cruse, and 23 great grandchildren , along with many other relatives and friends.

The family would like to thank the staff of BeeHive Homes in Scottsburg for the love and care provided to their loved one during her time at your residence.  Your dedication, kindness, and support made her final days as comforting as possible.

Life Celebration Services will be at 12:00 pm on Thursday, January 4th, 2024, at Grayson Funeral Home in New Washington with burial in Upton Cemetery in Upton, KY.  Visitation will be from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm on Thursday.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests donations be made to St. Jude’s Children Research Hospital.