January 1, 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

10 things you don’t know about me… Jeff Van Buskirk

October 7, 2020

October 7, 2020

What is your favorite childhood memory?I took guitar lessons when I was in 4th or 5th grade and did not...

10 Things You Don’t Know about me Nikki Setterdahl

December 8, 2020

December 8, 2020

For years, Nikki Setterdahl and her daughter Whitney have been bringing joy to teens at Barnes-Jewish Hospital through their project...

10 things you don’t know about me… Santa Claus

December 13, 2019

December 13, 2019

This week the Record asked Santa Claus 10 questions about himself and he took time out of his very busy...

Kids Say…

June 17, 2019

June 17, 2019

Every week we ask five St. Joseph area students a question about farming. Today, five students from PVO South tell...

10 things you don’t know about me… Shawn Skinner

October 1, 2021

October 1, 2021

1. What is your favorite food? Italian food  2. What is your favorite holiday? Christmas 3. What is your favorite...

‘They want to show their support of the law enforcement and their family’

June 2, 2021

June 2, 2021

Jim and Jen Wagner support their community, so when a friend came in to their store, Wagner signs and Graphics,...

Wentzloff brings Lurch to life in Addams Family

April 3, 2022

April 3, 2022

Lili Wentzloff knows how to portray a character with few words. She is portraying Lurch, the butler of the creepy...

Passion for fitness inspires Hixson’s JustBfit class

September 17, 2019

September 17, 2019

Brenda Hixson likes to help people be fit. Hixson created a fitness program that meets at St. Joseph Grade School...

Get to know SJO Senior Marching Band member Mallory Wagner

October 21, 2022

October 21, 2022

The competitions, going and spending the evening with my band family and meeting and befriending other bands is just such...

For Schmidt, hard work pays off

July 12, 2019

July 12, 2019

Sammi Schmidt isn’t afraid of hard work. The future Illinois State Redbird was awarded the Gary Butler award at St....

Hartman makes finals of Project Run and Play.

April 14, 2022

April 14, 2022

St. Joseph resident Emily Hartman has made it to the last round of Project Run and Play. The project is...

Senior Spotlight: Libby Rowland

May 13, 2019

May 13, 2019

Leading up to graduation, we asked five seniors five questions. First up is senior Libby Rowland. What will you be...

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… Angela O’Brien Page

August 26, 2019

August 26, 2019

Every week we ask an area resident to share 10 facts about themselves. This week we asked Angela O’Brien Page....

10 things you don’t know about me… Chandler Dalton

October 20, 2019

October 20, 2019

This week the director of St. Joseph-Ogden’s Fall Drama Production “Trap” tells us 10 things we don’t know about her!...

Comments
Leave a Reply