JANESVILLE — Deacon Richard J. Fischer, age 78, of Janesville, died at the Trinity Senior Care Center in Madison on Thursday, Dec. 26, 2012.
He was born on March 29, 1934 in Edgewood, Iowa, the son of Henry and Josephine (Pasker) Fischer. Richard (Bud) was raised and educated in the Edgewood and Manchester areas. He helped his dad on the farm while his brothers were in the service.
Richard was united in marriage to Sandra L. Seamans on November 23, 1957, at St. John Church in Antigo. Two children (Rich and Sharon) were adopted to this family. Richard and Sandra also invited many foster children into their home over the years. Richard worked at Janesville Auto Transport and was ordained as a deacon for the Diocese of Madison in July of 2004 and continued to serve at St. William Parish in Janesville until 2011. He was a founding member of the St. William’s chapter of the Knights of Columbus.
Deacon Fischer always put other needs before his own, always offering a helping hand to the friends he worked with at JATCO/Complete Auto, the parishioners of St. William Parish, and his family. He loved and served his family and God his entire life. He enjoyed spending time with his family at the cabin.
He will be sadly missed by his two children, Rich (Sandy) Fischer of Deerfield and Sharon (Tim) Wold of Grayslake, Ill.; eight grandchildren; one sister, Agnes (Harold) Fettkether of Oelwein; two sisters-in-law, Rose (Sylvester) Fischer of Manchester and Bev (Henry Jr.) Fischer of Coral Springs, Fla.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Sandra; one grandson, his three sisters, Mildred Meyer, Pearl Fischer, and Edna Mae Goedken; and five brothers, Leander, Sylvester, Lyle, Ambrose, and Henry Fischer, Jr.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 31, 2012, at St. William Church, 1815 Ravine St., Janesville, with Fr. John Auby, pastor, as celebrant and homilist. Bishop Robert C. Morlino will attend in choir. Entombment will follow in Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Visitation will take place on Monday from 9:30 a.m. until the Mass at St. William Church.
In lieu of flowers, people make make donations to the Joshua Richard Fischer Memorial Fund. Schneider Apfel Schneider & Schneider Funeral Home is assisting the family. For on-line guestbook and condolences: www.schneiderfuneraldirectors.com