Juanita Louise Gable, of Xenia, Ohio, and The Villages, Florida, went home to be with the Lord in the afternoon of June 15, 2026.
Juanita was born Dec. 22, 1940, to Howard and Patricia Freeze. She was a 1959 graduate of Beavercreek High School and carried a lifelong fondness for the friends and memories she made there, especially the cherished connections she continued to enjoy with her Beavercreek High School Class of 1959. She worked for many years at Elano after time spent at Third National and Society Banks in Xenia and Beavercreek, but the truest and most meaningful work of her life was found in the love and devotion she gave to her family.
Juanita was the beloved wife of James Gable, with whom she shared 42 years of marriage, partnership, laughter, faith, and life. She was a dedicated mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend; steady, loyal, resilient, and deeply devoted to the people she loved.
She is survived by her husband, James Gable; her daughter, Elizabeth Delaney and her husband, Greg, of Xenia; and her son, Kirk Hensley, of Columbus, Ohio. She is also survived by Anna Hensley, of Columbus, Ohio, who held a special place in Juanita’s heart. Juanita leaves behind grandchildren who brought her great joy: Hillary Schleich and her husband, Cameron; Samantha Carlson and her husband, Alex; Ian Delaney; Lilly Hensley; and Stella Hensley. She was also blessed with two remarkable great-grandchildren, Oliver Schleich and Benjamin Carlson. She is survived by her brothers, Mark Freeze and his wife, Pat, and Robert Freeze and his wife, Lois, as well as many cherished nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Howard and Patricia Freeze, and her sister, Carol.
Juanita was a member of First Church of Christ in Xenia and Fairway Christian Church in The Villages. Her faith was not simply something she claimed, but something that helped shape the way she loved, endured, and remained faithful through every season. Juanita enjoyed golf, Disney, traveling, butterflies, and the simple joy of being with her family. She especially cherished her time in Florida, where life in The Villages gave her sunshine, friendship, and community. She loved the easy rhythm of time on the lanai, the laughter of friends, swimming, shuffleboard, and the meaningful connections that came from simply showing up and sharing life with others. Those who knew Juanita will remember her strength, her loyalty, her resilience, and her unmistakable devotion to Jim.
She loved her husband deeply, treasured her family fiercely, and found beauty in the simple things — a butterfly passing by, a familiar conversation, a warm Florida afternoon, beating Jim at golf and the blessing of being surrounded by those she loved. And now, in the spirit of the old hymn, Juanita comes to Jesus just as she was -loved, received, welcomed, and made whole by the grace that carried her in life and now carries her home. Her life was a testimony to quiet perseverance, faithful love, and the kind of family devotion that does not need to announce itself loudly to be deeply felt. She will be missed dearly, remembered gratefully, and entrusted now to the care of the Lord she loved. Juanita’s family is deeply grateful for the remarkable care provided by the Premier Healthcare team in the hospital and the in-home Crisis Care Hospice team.
In the last days of Juanita’s life, they brought not only medical skills but also compassion, tenderness, dignity, and peace to both Juanita and those who loved her. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Ohio’s Hospice. In Juanita’s memory, her family also encourages those who loved her to find a simple and meaningful way to serve someone else, especially someone walking the difficult road of dementia or cancer, or the family caring for them. Take a meal. Make a call. Send a note. Drop off a caring gift. Sit for a few minutes. Do some small thing that reminds another weary heart they have not been forgotten.
A time of visitation and family receiving friends will be held on Saturday, June 20, 2026, at 10 a.m., followed by a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. at First Church of Christ, 441 Ledbetter Road, Xenia, Ohio 45385. Pastor Greg Delaney and Pastor Andy Spencer will officiate. In honor of Juanita’s love for butterflies, the family would be blessed for those attending to wear or carry a butterfly in some simple way. A pin, scarf, piece of jewelry, card, or a quiet touch of beauty would be a meaningful tribute that Juanita would have absolutely loved. “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His faithful servants.” Psalm 116:15