Barbara Jean (Sweigart) Cook,

Age 81, of Smith Road in Houston, Ohio, passed away of natural causes at her residence Tuesday morning, November 25, 2025.  She was born June 16, 1944, in Piqua, Ohio, to the late John & Elsie (Jordan) Sweigart.  On September 4, 1965, at St. Mary Catholic Church in Piqua, Barb married Ronald J. Cook who preceded her in death on November 3, 2020.  Surviving are three of four children: Rob & Amy Cook, Doug & Pam Cook, Susan Elizabeth Cook (dec.) and Jenny Cook & Kris Hughes, all of Houston; five grandchildren: Jacob & Hannah Cook, Sam & Megan Cook, Kate Cook, Olivia Cook and Brandy & Elwyn Bailey; three of four great-grandchildren: Marlo (dec.), RJ, Margaret and Eliza Cook; brothers & sisters-in-law: Bill Cook of Fort Wayne, IN, Frank & Judy Cook of Marthasville, MO, Lucy Cook of MN and Dave & Beth Cook of Bowling Green as well as numerous nieces and nephews.  She was preceded in death by her brother, John Sweigart; father & mother-in-law, John & Leona (Berres) Cook; sister-in-law, Karen Cook and a brother-in-law, John Cook.

Barb was a 1962 graduate of Piqua High School.  She went on to Sinclair Community College in Dayton to acquire an associate degree in accounting.  Mrs. Cook retired from Loramie Township where she had been the fiscal officer for many years.  She previously worked for Monnier & Co. in Sidney, and had always been a dedicated farm wife.  Barb was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church and the New Hope Garden Club.  She enjoyed playing cards and games with her family and life-long friends.  She also enjoyed flower gardening, baking, quilting, sewing and especially spending time with her grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:30 AM, Saturday, November 29, 2025, at Sts. Peter & Paul Church in Newport with Rev. John Tonkin presiding.  Interment will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery in Piqua.  Family and friends may call Friday, 4:00 to 7:00 PM and Saturday, 9:00 to 10:00 AM at Gehret Funeral Home in Fort Loramie.  Memorials may be made to Dayton Children’s Hospital, Wilma Valentine Childcare or S & H Products, both of Sidney.  Private condolences may be expressed at the gehretfuneralhome.com website.