Rev. James Fischer

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- The Rev. James A Fischer of Perryville, died Friday, Nov. 25, 2005, at St. Mary's Seminary.

He was born on Oct. 15, 1916, in St. Louis, Mo., son of John J. and Agnes C. Henke Fischer.

He was a Vincentian priest. He entered the Congregation of the Mission, the Vincentians, at St. Mary's of the Barrens Seminary on Sept. 13, 1938, and was ordained a priest June 3, 1943. He was a graduate of St. Mary's Seminary, Catholic University of America in Washington, D.C., and the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome, Italy.

He was the Provincial of the Congregation of the Mission in the West and Midwest provinces from 1962 to 1971. He taught at St. John's and Assumption Seminaries in San Antonio, Texas, St. Mary's Seminary in Perryville, DeAndries Seminary in Lemont, Ill., Kenrick Seminary in St. Louis, and St. Thomas Seminary in Denver, Colo.

His last years were spent with the Neuman Centers at the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville and Southeast Missouri State University in Cape Girardeau.

Survivors include a sister, Sister Mary James of Indianapolis, Ind.

He was preceded in death by three brothers and a sister.

Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday at St. Mary's of the Barrens Catholic Church in Perryville and from 8 to 10:30 a.m. Tuesday. A prayer service will be at 7:30 p.m. Monday.

Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at the church, with the Rev. Jim Swift officiating. Burial will be in the Vincentian Community Cemetery.

Young and Sons Funeral Home in Perryville is in charge of arrangements.