Eleanor Lawrenz

Eleanor Joan Lawrenz, 86, of Grove City, Ohio, passed away March 27,2019, surrounded by her family.

Eleanor was born on August 31, 1932 to Samuel Edgar and Myrtle Eve (Hall) Rusmiselle in the home of her Aunt Josephine’s in Huntington, West Virginia. Eleanor loved her hometown, the Ohio River, West Virginia, the Marshall Thundering Herd and THE OSU Buckeyes. She often reminisces about swimming in the Ohio River and surviving the historic 1937 flood. In particular, escaping through the 2nd floor window from their home on the Guyandotte River in a row boat with Momma, Papa, siblings Theresa and Robert and their pig.

She graduated from Huntington East in 1950 and earned her Nursing Degree from St. Mary’s Nursing School. She moved to Columbus in 1953 after her marriage to Oscar Barnett and raised five children. She also made her home in Pataskala, Ohio, and Washington, Illinois. She was employed with Grant Hospital, Owens-Corning and AT&T. Her lifelong passions included her cats, dancing, art, theatre, gardening, traveling and her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  She later married Joseph Lawrenz.

She is survived by children Joseph (Wendy) Barnett of Tallahassee, Florida, Jeffrey (Messi) Barnett of Park Ridge, IL, Jackie (Bill) Schwenk of Washington, IL, Jeanne Brigner of Mount Sterling, OH and James (Irene) Barnett of Groveport, OH; Grandchildren include Chris Barnett, Erin (Adam) Vaughn, Brittany Barnett, Isabella Barnett, Vivian Barnett, Dan Schwenk, Debra (Nathan) Kinsinger, Michael (Ashley) Schwenk, Emily Wise, Stefanie (Patrick) Monnett, Joey Wise, Liberty Brigner, Savannah Barnett,  and Sierra Barnett and eight great-grandchildren and her brother, Robert Rusmiselle of Leitchfield, Kentucky.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husbands Oscar Barnett and Joseph Lawrenz, and sister Theresa.

Eleanor resided at StoryPoint Grove City for the last 5 months with her cats Saffire and Lilly.

No immediate services will be held at Eleanor’s request. Family will have a humble gathering to return Eleanor to the Ohio River later this year.

Memorials may be made to Grace Presbyterian Church TV ministry, 8607 State Route 91, Peoria, IL 61615 (gracepres.org) or Capital City Hospice, 2800 Corporate Exchange Drive, Unit 170, Columbus, OH 43231 or your local Humane Society.