February 21, 2026 Local Stories in and Around St. Joseph, Illinois

Generous family man Fisher suffering from major health issue

Luke Fisher likes to solve problems.


The assistant public works superintendent does everything from work at the sewer plant to plowing the roads in St. Joseph during the winter months.


“At work, he’s always there early ready to get started,” said Josh Reese, a public works employee in St. Joseph, “and always goes out of his way to help the citizens out when they need something.”


Now, Fisher and his family need the help of the community Fisher dutifully serves.


Fisher was recently diagnosed with a serious and fast-spreading bacterial infection.


His surgeries have gone as well as can be expected, said Melissa Croy, his sister-in-law.


“But he will have to go through a couple more in the months to come that will prevent him from working and performing all the jobs he did on the side for neighbors,” she said. “He’s helped so many people and I know has touched many lives.”


To help the Fishers with their mounting medical bills and expenses, family and friends have created a GoFundMe page.


St. Joseph Mayor Tami Fruhling-Voges said Fisher is deserving of the help.


“He is one of those guys that will jump at the chance to help someone,” Fruhling-Voges said.


Fruhling-Voges said Fisher is a tremendous asset to the village, as well to her personally.


“While I have been Mayor he has been very supportive, and I can always count on him,” she said. “I value his friendship and his partnership as my public works assistant.”


Fruhling-Voges said Fisher’s organizational skills and his ability to move projects forward within the village helps the public works department daily.


Village Clerk Tiffany McElroy-Smetzer agreed.


“He steps right up and solves problems,” she said. “Luke figures it out and gets it done before you know it.”


McElroy-Smetzer considers Fisher more than a work colleague; he is also a friend.


She said one of her favorite characteristics about Luke is how much his family means to him.


“I love to listen to him talk about his daughter Hannah,” she said. “I can remember when he started dating (his wife) Marlo. You could tell from the beginning she was special.”


Croy agreed.


“His love for family, friends, and especially Marlo and Hannah, is evident from the moment you meet him,” she said.


In addition to working for the village, Fisher served as a firefighter and a first responder. That volunteering is just another aspect of his generous nature, St. Joseph Office Manager Julie Hendrickson said.


“He is so willing to help with anything,” she said. “I love Lucas.”


Office Assistant Debbie Routh echoed that sentiment.


“He is very pleasant and kind to everyone,” she said. “He always helps his neighbors and anyone that he observes that needs help. He’s one in a million.”

To donate visit https://www.gofundme.com/lucas-fisher

in People
Banner
Related Posts

Get to know to know SJO Senior Marching Band member Maya Hewkin

October 21, 2022

October 21, 2022

My favorite thing about marching band is the connection between the students. Being in band is like being a part...

10 things you don’t know about me… Yasmin Rietmann

March 27, 2019

March 27, 2019

Yasmin Rietmann helps customers at St. Joseph Automotive in addition to raising her three kids and much more. This post...

10 things you don’t know about me… Jim Wagner

June 13, 2019

June 13, 2019

Every week we ask an area resident to share 10 things we don’t know about them—this week is St. Joseph...

Haley’s lofty vision with SJO baseball has become reality

April 16, 2019

April 16, 2019

Josh Haley didn’t do anything elaborate after he achieved a coaching milestone earlier this month. For the St. Joseph-Ogden High...

For Poulter, entertaining people is a calling

July 17, 2024

July 17, 2024

Jonny Poulter just wants to entertain people. The 2022 St. Joseph-Ogden High School graduate was inspired to play music after...

Treatment for the common cold

December 23, 2021

December 23, 2021

By Jeanelle Murphy, DO The common cold is caused by a virus. There are over 200 common cold viruses but...

10 things you don’t know about me… Taylor Baldner

January 29, 2020

January 29, 2020

This week we asked Taylor Baldner of Taylor-Made Photography to tell us 10 things about herself. Baldner has recently joined...

Bringing Boston to St. Joseph: Jones to complete virtual marathon Monday throughout villages

September 5, 2020

September 5, 2020

Alison Jones has competed in the Boston Marathon before. On Monday, she will participate in the storied event — just...

Senior spotlight…. Payton Clements

January 17, 2020

January 17, 2020

What are your post high school plans? After high school, I plan on attending Bradley university and majoring in environmental...

‘St. Joseph is better because of Dixie Hackler’

January 20, 2020

January 20, 2020

Dixie Hackler always had a smile on her face. Always made time for others. And always made sure others knew...

‘We lost a great young man’

October 22, 2024

October 22, 2024

When Corey Thompsen was in high school at St. Joseph-Ogden, he and his fellow cross-country runners would race across the...

‘Once a spartan, always a spartan’ by Katelyn Berry

June 16, 2020

June 16, 2020

When I pictured giving a speech at my high school graduation, this isn’t exactly what came to mind. I imagined...

10 things you don’t know about me… Noreen Acton

August 13, 2019

August 13, 2019

Every week we ask an area resident to share 10 things about themselves that we may not know. This week...

Senior Spotlight…Jenna Albrecht

November 15, 2019

November 15, 2019

Every week we ask a St. Joseph-Ogden senior five questions. This week we spoke to Jenna Albrecht, who is a...

Giving back: Short wins St. Joseph Chamber Citizen of the Year

April 16, 2019

April 16, 2019

Tim Short loves St. Joseph. He and his wife, Amy, moved to St. Joseph in 1992 and never thought of...

Comments
Leave a Reply