Cindy Cisney (68) of Greenup

Our precious mom, Cindy, met her Savior on June 5th, 2024. Her legacy lives on in so many lives, and her influence will have ripple effects that we won’t know until we join her in heaven.

Memorial visitation will be from 1:00 to 4:00 pm on Saturday June 15, 2024, at the First Southern Baptist Church in Greenup. Celebration of Life services will begin at 4:00 pm at the church. Burial will be at a later date in the Jack Oak Cemetery in rural Greenup. The Barkley Funeral Chapel in Greenup is assisting the family with arrangements.

Cindy Lou Fugate was born on December 14, 1955. Her childhood was spent in Sullivan, IL until she and her parents, Charlie and Nadene Fugate, moved to Greenup, IL when she was in seventh grade. She graduated from Cumberland High School and went on to Lakeland Community College where she received an Associate Degree in Early Childhood Development. Along the way, she met a long-haired guy named Virgil. Cindy, an only child, must have experienced a shock as she became acclimated to the nine Cisney siblings, many of whom already had children of their own. Something apparently impressed her, because she married that guy named Virgil, and the two of them celebrated 49 years of marriage on March 29, 2024. 49 years with Virgil! Some of you understand the magnitude of that accomplishment! Cindy was a saint! Cindy put her college degree to good use when she became a mom to twins, Erik and Amie (Thornsbrough), in 1976. Daniel came along in 1981 and then, in 1985, Lisa (Jones) completed the family. As a stay-at-home mom, she spent countless hours managing, scheduling, cooking, and cleaning. When Lisa started school, Cindy became a teacher’s aide in the Cumberland school system. For over 20 years, she worked with students in special education classes at Cumberland Elementary as well as in the study hall at Cumberland High School. Perhaps her biggest role became taxi driver once she had four growing kids who were never told they couldn’t join a sport, be in a club, or attend a youth group activity. Those years were busy ones. She washed and dried 100% of the laundry. She washed dishes by hand. She and her family attended church at least three times a week. She visited with her parents who lived a couple of miles away. She planted flowers. She even let the kids have a dog now and then. Her children were granted idyllic childhoods in which she played a starring role. Grandma became Cindy’s new and most coveted name when Hanna Grace led the way as the first grandchild in 2002. It wasn’t long until Athan, Colton, and Sam joined the group. Then, in a period of 16 months, all four of Cindy’s children had babies. In 2006 and 2007, Mia Kate, Abrianna, Grady, and Miles made up the second foursome. These were the years of cousins’ weekends. Fishing trips, school shopping, and playing at the park became annual occurrences and continued as Raegan, Cecelia, and Jaxson rounded out the family. Her 11 grandkids brought her much joy and laughter as she enjoyed time with them in her home and traveled to watch all the ball games, concerts, baptisms, musical theater performances, and birthday parties. She truly loved those 11 kids like no one else ever will. When you think of Cindy, you may remember sitting beside her at a ball game or working with her at the Faith Fellowship Mission. Many of you remember teaching Sunday School or VBS with her, and so, so many people spent weeks each summer with her at church camp in Indiana. She may have played a quieter role as a pastor’s wife for the last several years, but her kind heart and easy-going nature made her a friend to many. Cancer changed Cindy’s life on June 5, 2018. Exactly six years were spent dealing with the effects of chemo, radiation, and monthly hormone injections at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center and at Mayo Clinic. Of course, she made friends in those places as well. Through her illness, she showed courage and strength and was always seen with a smile on her face. She never stopped living life. She went to ball games and to church as much as she was able. Just a few weeks ago, she thoroughly enjoyed the 49th anniversary party where she was able to spend time with many people who count her as dear.

Cindy leaves behind so many who will continue to love her: her husband, Virgil, who will miss her the most, Erik and Jeannie and their kids, Athan, Colton, and Abrianna; Amie and Brock Thornsbrough and their daughter, Mia Kate; Daniel and Margie and their kids Hanna, Sam, Miles, Cece, and Jaxson; and Lisa and Cody Jones and their kids Grady and Raegan. Her parents are deceased, but she has cousins, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and “adopted” family members who meant a great deal to her including Allison Kemper, Shawn Sloan, and many, many others. Mom was a pretty simple person. She loved her people, and she loved Jesus. She would want us all to do the same.

Memorial gifts may be made to support Xapa Ministries, 250 McCormick Creek Park Road Spencer, IN 47460, the church camp Cindy and Virgil have helped with for many years or Rose Hill Community Church. Online condolences can be expressed by clicking here.