Charles "Charlie" Fisher

Charles “Charlie” Fisher, 77, of Flat Rock, IL, died at 3:35 p.m. on Friday, December 7, 2018 at the Lawrence County Memorial Hospital in Lawrenceville, IL. He was born January 15, 1941 in Birds, IL, the son of Kenneth Fisher & Blanche (Ducharme) Fisher, both of whom preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by twin sisters at birth and by his brother, Dean Fisher on December 4, 2018 He married Karen Ruth Eaken on July 30, 1960, and she survives. He is also survived by his daughters & sons-in-law, Laura & Eric Collier (Palestine, IL) and Sandie & Scott Bowen (Flat Rock, IL); by his grandchildren & their spouses, Erika (Collier) & Travis Guess (Pawnee, IL), Niki (Collier) & DJ Staley (Palestine, IL), Jessie Bowen (Lawrenceville, IL), and Jaydin Bowen (Flat Rock, IL); by his great-grandchildren, Gracelynn Guess and Lukis Staley; by his siblings & their spouses, Don & Kay Fisher (Wooster, OH), Nancy & Russ Buttolph (Flat Rock, IL), and Pat Fisher (Flat Rock, IL); by his brother-in-law & sister-in-law, Alan & Kathi Eaken (Medina, OH); as well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews. Charlie’s father was a pastor, so he and his family grew up all over the Midwest. However, summers were often spent at his grandparents’ farm in rural Flat Rock. A 1958 graduate of Medina High School in Medina, OH, he spent a couple more years in Ohio before moving back to Illinois in 1960. He went to work for Suttle Equipment in Lawrenceville for 10 years before getting on with Victor-Dana in Robinson, with whom he worked for 35 years before retiring as a foreman in 2004. Much of his time away from work was spent outdoors and he was known to hunt just about everything: deer, turkey, squirrel, coon, even mushrooms. He loved to fish as well and spent countless hours at his pond and at the river waiting for a bite. The joy he found in hunting and fishing was one he shared with his whole family: Karen was at his side at almost every outing, and the rest of his family were taught by one of the best. Needless to say, they know where all the good mushroom spots are! If he wasn't hunting or fishing, chances were that Charlie was on his trusty John Deere mower. He loved to mow, push dirt, and dig! He was also, by all accounts, an avid sports enthusiast, and this was a passion that he held onto throughout his life. A pitcher and center fielder, he played fast-pitch softball with fantastic groups of guys on the Palestine Pioneer team and a Flat Rock team. Anyone who knew him would tell you that the St. Louis Cardinals were HIS team. Few things brought him more joy than discussing the ins and outs of each Cards game with anyone with an open ear. When baseball season was over, Charlie would follow the Chicago Bears and Peyton Manning-era Indianapolis Colts football teams as well. A man of faith, he was a member of the Black River Church in Ohio and also attended the Grace United Methodist Church in rural Palestine locally. Whether he was at work or at home, he set a high standard for himself and those around him. If a job was to be done, it was to be done well, but he was always fair. This is his legacy, and it lives on in all of those fortunate to have known him. Though he always seemed to have a very gruff and serious exterior, he had the softest heart. He shed many tears of pride and happiness. As his Parkinson’s disease progressed, it attacked both his body and mind, but it never took his spirit. A time of visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 11th at the Goodwine Funeral Home in Palestine, where family and friends are invited to wear their Cardinals memorabilia in honor of Charlie. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Wednesday, December 12th at the Grace United Methodist Church, rural Palestine, IL, with Pastors Kyle Bailey, Jane Drake, and Ronnie Crawford officiating. During the service, there will be an opportunity for family and friends to share their memories of Charlie. Burial will be in the Wesley Chapel Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Grace United Methodist Church, with envelopes available at the funeral home and church.