Service: 10 a.m. Tuesday, March 10, College Avenue Presbyterian Church, Aledo. Visitation: 5-8 p.m. today, Speer Funeral Home, Aledo.

ALEDO, Ill. — John S. Fisher, 83, of rural Aledo went to be with his Lord, Thursday, March 5, 2009. 

Burial is at Aledo Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the College Avenue Presbyterian Church or the Mercer County Food Pantry.

Condolences may be left  at www.speerfuneralhome.com.

Mr. Fisher was born Nov. 24, 1925, on the centennial farm he loved, the only child of Harry and Louise (Derr) Fisher.

He walked to country school and graduated from Aledo High School in 1943.

He was a farmer from childhood joining both 4-H and FFA. He was Aledo’s first to receive an American farmer degree.

His involvement in 4-H led to two National 4-H contests where he met his future wife.

He married Jane Dunlap of East Andover, N,H., Sept. 11, 1954, during a hurricane, at the East Andover Congregational Church. 

They had two children, Cara Fisher-Ausmus and Harry Fisher. John had three grandchildren, Steven Ausmus of Arkadelphia, Ark., Sara Ausmus at the University of Illinois and Bernard Fisher-Ausmus at Aledo Junior High School.

He and his wife were active in their community and church. He especially loved the purebred livestock business raising Shropshire sheep, Hampshire hogs, Jersey dairy cattle and Angus beef cattle on Bluff View Farms.

The Angus held a special place in his life. He was active in those breed associations and sold Sieben Seed for more than 60 years.

He and his wife were involved in growing hybrid Iris flowers and firing ceramics for hobbies.

He was involved with Rural Youth, Country Couples, Farm Bureau Prime Timers, FFA alumni, and his church. He served as an officer in many of these organizations, including 4-H, FFA and State Rural Youth President.

He is survived by his daughter and son-in-law, son, three grandchildren and an aunt Eileen Vance.

He was preceded in death by his parents and wife, in 2001.