Leary Fischer

Leary L. Fischer, age 80, of Mount Hope, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 9, 2016, at his home. He was born in September of 1936, in Woodman Township, the son of John and Ruth (Koening) Fischer. On October 8, 1960, Leary was united in marriage to Maurice A. Riley. After their marriage, the couple farmed Maurice's uncle's farm. He soon purchased the Johnston Ridge. In 1972, they purchased the Dubel farm, where they currently reside. In the early 1980's, Leary and Maurice purchased an additional 230 acres. On September 15, 1985, Leary's son Tony began farming with him. In 2012 Leary and Tony completed the "horseshoe" and they purchased the remaining 360 acres. Leary took great pride in farming which was not only his life's work but his hobby. He was a hardworking man who considered himself a "diversified" farmer. Leary enjoyed deer hunting and going to the sale barns. He and Maurice were baptized in 1969 as Jehovah's Witnesses.

Survivors include his wife, Maurice A. Fischer, Mt. Hope; his children: Bruce (Rose) Fischer; Tony (Janice) Fischer, all of Mt. Hope; Phyllis (Keith) Novinskie, Fennimore; Robin (Dan) Maring, Bloomington; nine grandchildren: Rachel (Jon) Kipper; Hillary (Travis) Cliff; Zachary Fischer; Miranda and Spencer Novinskie; Brenda (Cyrus) Bradley; Shane, Melissa, and Bryan Maring; seven great-grandchildren; four brothers: Lyle (Joyce) Fischer, Blanchardville; Sidney (Betty) Fischer, Lancaster; Jerry and Lonny (Laurayne) Fischer, all of Boscobel; a sister, Judy (Harold) Schuppner, Cassville; other relatives and many friends.

In addition to his parents, Leary was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Rebecca; his siblings: Nancy and Clayton; a sister-in-law, Sheri Fischer; his mother-in-law, Alta Riley.

Memorial services were held on Wednesday, December 14, 2016, at 11:00 a.m. at the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah's Witnesses in Fennimore. Private family burial will be at a later date. Family and friends called on Tuesday, December 13, 2016, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Martin Schwartz Funeral Home & Crematory, 1234 S. Madison, Lancaster.