June 2, 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

Senior spotlight… Luke Cohen

October 22, 2019

October 22, 2019

Every week we ask a senior five questions. This week we talked to Luke Cohen. What do you want to...

Senior spotlight: Gage Atwood

May 16, 2019

May 16, 2019

Leading up to graduation, we asked five seniors five questions.Next up is Gage Atwood! What will you be doing next...

SJO community mourns death of Glenn Fisher: ‘He had a heart of gold’

January 12, 2021

January 12, 2021

Glenn Fisher liked to tease people. Whether he was telling the newly hired football coach at St. Joseph-Ogden High School...

Homeward Bound: Piper’s incredible adventure comes to an end

September 23, 2020

September 23, 2020

Piper, the most famous Labrador in St. Joseph, is finally back home. The dog spent seven days exploring St. Joseph...

10 things you don’t know about me…the SJO girls basketball team

February 22, 2019

February 22, 2019

After this weekend, Maclayne Taylor will have 12 state medals and has been apart of five team state trophies.  ...

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

August 19, 2020

August 19, 2020

My favorite childhood memory is going to Kings Island with my family every summer on vacation My first pet was...

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...

Get to know Holly Clingan

March 25, 2025

March 25, 2025

Can you please provide some biographical information? I am Holly Clingan, and I’ve been a homeowner in St. Joseph for...

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...

‘This role has been an amazing one to take on’

April 1, 2022

April 1, 2022

Wyatt Loghry has loved the Addams Family since he was little. And now, he is playing the patriarch, Gomez Addams....

Senior Spotlight… Ally Monk

January 29, 2020

January 29, 2020

What are your plans after you graduate from St. Joseph-Ogden? After graduation, I plan on attending the University of Missouri...

Scholarship honors, remembers Dick Duval: ‘His legend will live on in St. Joe’

October 5, 2021

October 5, 2021

If you want to know who Dick Duval truly was, all you have to do is ask St. Joseph-Ogden Superintendent...

Local Girl Scouts reflect on trip to Georgia

January 16, 2020

January 16, 2020

The road to Georgia was long and winding, but worth it. Recently scouts in Troops 2077, 2116 and 2134 presented...

‘We lost a very good man in Jim Cotter’

September 2, 2021

September 2, 2021

Jim Cotter loved to brag about his kids. This past Saturday was no exception. Cotter took time out from covering...

Wagner shines positive light on St. Joseph Grade School

May 7, 2019

May 7, 2019

Michelle Wagner is an optimist by nature. That optimism now permeates St. Joseph Grade School, where Wagner is completing her...

Comments
Leave a Reply