Joseph M. Fancher

BURLINGTON - Joseph M. Fancher, 94, passed away on Friday, May 13, 2005, in Burlington. He was born on August 29, 1910, in La Crosse, to Frank and Mary (nee: Schmelzer) Fancher. He married Marie O'Rourke on December 31, 1932, in La Crosse. Joseph had worked at the La Crosse Rubber Mills, the Electric Autolite of La Crosse, American Motors in Kenosha and the La Crescent School District. He was a member of the Church of the Crucifixion and the Knights of Columbus. He is survived by two sons, Charles Fancher of Kansasville and John (Barbara) Fancher of Wabasha, MN; 15 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; one sister, Helen (Robert) Bettin of Milton; and two daughters-in-law, Pat Fancher of San Jose, CA, and Shirley Fancherof La Crosse. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Marie; two sons, James Fancher and Jerry Fancher; five brothers; and three sisters. A Mass of Christian Burial will held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 19, 2005, at the Church of the Crucifixion, 407 S. 2nd St., La Crescent. Monsignor Donald W. Grubisch will officiate. Burial will be in the Crucifixion Cemetery. Friends may call at the Schumacher - Kish Funeral Home of La Crescent, 412 S. 3rd Street, on Wednesday from 5 until 7 p.m., where a rosary will be recited at 6:30 p.m., and again on Thursday at the church from 9:30 a.m. until the time of services.