John 'Johnnie' Fischer Jr.

CAIRO, Ill. -- John Albert Fischer Jr., 84, of Cairo passed away at 2:48 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 31, 2017, at Saint Francis Medical Center in Cape Girardeau.

Johnnie was born Oct. 6, 1933, in Cairo, son of the late John Albert Fischer Sr. and Mary Zetra Pierceall Fischer.

Johnnie was a member of the St. Patrick Catholic Church in Cairo. He was past president of the Tri-State Boat Club; past president of the St. Patrick Parrish Council; past councilman for the city of Cairo; past president of Police and Fire Board of Cairo; member of the Cairo Elks Lodge BPOE 651; and member of the Laborer's Local No. 773. He enjoyed keeping his city of Cairo beautiful by preserving the historical and original beauty. Some of his favorite projects were the Cairo Library, Riverlore, St. Patrick Catholic Church and Magnolia Manor. He was awarded the Cairo's Elders Honoring Our Heroes Award by the Cairo Chamber of Commerce in 2000 and Distinguished Service Award in appreciation of the service given to his community, state and country 1986--1987 by the Cairo Jaycees. His greatest passion was the Illinois Central Railroad and it's history and model trains.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Mary Emma (Kaha) Fischer; two sons, John A. "Boo" Fischer III and James A. "Jamie" Fischer; a niece, Julia Profilet Frichtl; and a sister, Helen Frances Profilet.

Survivors include two daughters, Julie Swisher and Jane Fischer, both of Cairo; grandchildren, Matthew Stone, David Scott (Mesha) Gibson, Amanda Jane Gibson, Mary Kate Swisher and Jared Swisher; great-grandchildren, Mateo, Micha, Kegan, Malaya, Mason, Jace, Aiden and Drake; faithful employee of 40 years and as close as a son can be, Mark H. Cook of Wickliffe, Kentucky; and nieces, nephews and many friends.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at Jones Funeral Home Villa Ridge, with an Elks Rites service at 7 p.m. given by the Cairo Elks Lodge BPOE 651.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the funeral home, with Dr. Larry L. Potts officiating. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery in Villa Ridge.

Expressions of sympathy may take the form of memorials to the Cairo Public Library, 1609 Washington Ave., Cairo, IL 62914, in memory of Johnnie Fischer.

To leave online condolences, visit www.jones-funeral.com.