Richard Carroll “Dick” Fischer, 85, of Festus died March 6, 2021, at Mercy Hospital Jefferson in Crystal City. Mr. Fischer was a carpenter and cattle farmer who retired from the Pittsburgh Plate Glass plant in Crystal City, where he worked in the box shop and was a batch house operator. He was a longtime member of Grace Presbyterian Church in Crystal City, where he served as an elder for more than 50 years. He was a member of the Blackwell Masonic Lodge and the last surviving founding member of the Jefferson County Saddle Club. Born May 9, 1935, in Linn, he was the son of the late William Brian and Louise (Brock) Fischer. He was preceded in death by his wife: Mary “Viola” (Haverstick) Fischer.
He is survived by a daughter: Theresa C. (Chris) Eldridge; two stepdaughters: Carla Stricklin of Green Forest, Ark., and Sherry Stricklin of De Soto; four sons: Rick (Donna Fox) Fischer of Crystal City, Tim (Kim) Fischer of Festus, Jim (Terry) Fischer of Crystal City and Brian (the late Amber) Fischer; 16 grandchildren: Melodi Lynn Fischer, Diamond Marie Fischer, Anna Ruth Fischer, Zane Tyler Fischer, Erin Michelle Fischer, Molly Ann (Jimmy Fasnut) Monroe, Marshall Paul (Amber Monterusso) Fischer, Cody James Fischer, Ayden Reid Eldridge, Adalynn Marie Eldridge, Aria Taylor Eldridge, Sydney Taylor Fischer, Emma Bree Fischer, Alexis Chloe Fischer, Ailie Mae Fischer and Everly Kay Fischer; numerous great-grandchildren; and one great-great-granddaughter.
He was preceded in death by a granddaughter: Aynsleigh Marie Eldridge; three sisters: Constance Burkart, Alpha “Rosie” (the late Frank “Junior”) Brischle and Juanita “Nita” (the late Robert “Bob”) Saunders; and four brothers: William C. “Billy” (the late Margaret) Fischer, Leslie R. “Les” (Elfrieda) Fisher, Frederick M. “Fritz” (the late Berneda) Fisher, and Ralph G. (Peggy survives of Bloomsdale) Fisher.
Visitation is scheduled from 4-8 p.m. Thursday, March 11, at Vinyard Funeral Home, 616 W. Main St., in Festus. Visitation is from 9 a.m. until a funeral service at 10 a.m. Friday, March 12, at Grace Presbyterian Church in Crystal City, officiated by Pastor Vicky Michaels. Burial will take place in the Danby Cemetery in southern Jefferson County. Memorials may be made to the Friends of the Fountain Fund at Grace Presbyterian Church in Crystal City. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home.