Robert W. Fisher

KALONA ? Robert Wayne Fisher, 87, of Kalona, died Thursday, March 24, 2016, in Pleasantview Home in Kalona after a long battle with cancer.

Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m., Tuesday, March 29, at the Sharon Center United Methodist Church in rural Kalona with the Rev. Erling Shultz officiating. Burial will be in the East Union Cemetery. Visitation will be from 1 to 8 p.m., Monday, March 28, at the Yoder-Powell Funeral Home in Kalona, where the family will greet friends from 1 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. A general memorial fund has been established.

Mr. Fisher was born May 5, 1928, in rural Parnell, the son of Orlo C. and Amanda (Kauffman) Fisher. He married Gladys Kathleen Bender on May 31, 1951, at East Union Mennonite Church.

He graduated from eighth grade at Hickory Grove School. He lived in the Kalona and Wellman area his entire life. He and his wife lived in La Junta, Colorado, for two years while he was in voluntary service. Upon returning home, he farmed for 17 years and drove truck for Yoder Feeds for 18 years. During his retirement, he helped local farmers, hauling grain during harvest. He enjoyed this very much, as he was able to meet and visit with many people and make new friends. He also enjoyed woodworking. He was a member of the Sharon Center United Methodist Church, an active member of MDS, and volunteered with Habitat for Humanity in Texas. He was a founding and lifetime member of the Washington Township Optimist Club since 1972 and held numerous offices in the local chapter. He was a member of Farm Bureau and held numerous offices, including the Johnson County presidency. During his tenure, he and his wife were able to travel to Belgium and Ireland for Farm Bureau.

Surviving are his wife, Gladys, of Kalona; six children, Marvin Fisher and wife Vickie of Wichita, Kansas, Grace Tully and husband Jim of Iowa City, Sara Brown and husband Glenn of Iowa City, Peggy Haines and husband John of Iowa City, Ralph Fisher and wife Cindy of Wellman, and Mary Anderson of Hiawatha; eight grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; one sister, Ruth Fisher of Wellman; and one brother, Orlo Fisher and wife Dorothy of Talcum, Kentucky.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one infant son; and his grandparents, Sam and Mary Fisher, and Blind Jake and Mary Kauffmn.