FAMILY OWNED AND OPERATED FUNERAL HOMES SINCE 1881
| Elmer M. Fischer |
| May 3, 1925 - June 7, 2019 |
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Public Events and LocationsVisitation - Tuesday, July 2, 2019, 10:30 to 11:00 AM at Resurrection Lutheran Church, HorshamFuneral Service - Tuesday, July 2, 2019, 11:00 AM at Resurrection Lutheran Church, Horsham Graveside Service - Tuesday, July 2, 2019, 12:20 PM at Hillside Cemetery, Roslyn Military Honors - Tuesday, July 2, 2019, 12:20 PM at Hillside Cemetery, Roslyn |
ContactsFuneral Home - Wetzel and Son Funeral Home - 501 Easton Road, Willow Grove, PA 19090 - 215-659-0911 - Map |
| Clergy - Resurrection Lutheran Church - 620 East Welsh Road, Horsham, PA 19044 - 215-646-2597 - Map |
| Cemetery - Hillside Cemetery - 2556 Susquehanna Road, Roslyn, PA 19001 - 215-884-0696 - Map |
| Donation - Resurrection Lutheran Church - 620 East Welsh Road, Horsham, PA 19044 - 215-646-2597 - Map |
The following obituary was lovingly composed by Elmer’s family:
Elmer Fischer was born May 3, 1925 in Philadelphia to Elmer Richard and Naomi Hocher Fischer. His parents and only sibling, Dorothy Fischer Kraske, are deceased.
Mr. Fischer graduated from Upper Moreland High School in 1943 and joined the Army the next month. In October he transferred to the Army Air Force and was stationed near The City of Norwich in England. Weighing just 120 pounds (!), Fischer completed 24 bombing missions to Germany as tail gunner on a B-24 Liberator with the Eighth Air Force. He was discharged in October 1945.
Returning to the US, he entered Temple University in February 1946, graduating with a B.S. In Pharmacy. Fischer passed the State Board and became a Registered Pharmacist in 1949. During this period, he also served with the US Marine Corps Reserves.
In December 1947, Fischer married Jeanne Coldwell Harry who died in 1998. They had two daughters: Donna Jean and Karen Lee, and a single grandchild, Olivia Kate.
Mr. Fischer was employed by Smith, Kline and French Labs (currently Glaxo Smith Kline) in 1949. For the next 37 years, he worked in various departments and capacities, retiring as Manager of Production Scheduling and Warehouse Distribution in January 1986.
From 1953 to 1979, both Elmer and Jeanne Fischer performed with the Music Theatre of Abington for 19 years. Mr. Fischer also served there as producer in 1979, and was onstage for three shows with the Allens Lane Music Theatre.
A stand-out in Shop Class, Fischer continued to work in wood and metal: inventing, repairing, and constructing items for home, yard, and vehicle use. He loved to play softball and often got together with a group of neighbors for touch football. Of course he was a Phillies fan, over-the-moon when they won the World Series!
Mr. Fischer was also a member of the 2nd Air Division Association which is composed of veterans who flew, maintained, or otherwise supported the B-24 bombers stationed in Norwich. The 8th Air Force Division's living memorial is a wing of the city's library. Mr. and Mrs. Fischer attended more than 20 Association reunions in England and across the U.S.
Fischer's other memberships and activities include more than 50 years in the Masonic Lodge; American Legion; V.F.W.; Upper Moreland Historical Society; and Resurrection Lutheran Church where he sang in the choir and served on the Property and Worship committees. He was a fine tenor, a part in vocal groups that is often rare.
As a WWII veteran, Fischer was knowledgeable about European history and geography but always enjoyed learning. At age 62-63, he attended Montgomery County Community College, bringing a unique perspective to his courses. The students were mesmerized by the small wooden Hitler figure, twice their ages, which he brought to class!
Elmer Fischer was an avid reader, unfazed by his macular degeneration due to his Kindle in which he could greatly enlarge the print. At last count, he had read 100 books, mostly non-fiction, from January through August 2018. He watched “Jeopardy” religiously, playing and keeping score for himself. Mr. Fischer was a skillful writer and public speaker, with the impressive vocabulary of a born reader.
His daughters' and the Kraske families; his deceased wife Jeanne Harry's extended family; friends, neighbors, and associates will greatly miss Elmer Fischer who died peacefully last week in Spring House, Pennsylvania.
Relatives and friends were invited to his visitation on Tuesday, July 2, 2019 from 10:30 A.M. and funeral service at 11:00 A.M. at Resurrection Lutheran Church, 620 East Welsh Road, Horsham, PA 19044. His graveside service followed with military honors rendered by the United States Air Force at Hillside Cemetery, 2556 Susquehanna Road, Roslyn, PA 19001.
Religious services were conducted by Rev. Ellen Meissgeier from Resurrection Lutheran Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Resurrection Lutheran Church, 620 East Welsh Road, Horsham, PA 19044.
Elmer Fischer was born May 3, 1925 in Philadelphia to Elmer Richard and Naomi Hocher Fischer. His parents and only sibling, Dorothy Fischer Kraske, are deceased.
Mr. Fischer graduated from Upper Moreland High School in 1943 and joined the Army the next month. In October he transferred to the Army Air Force and was stationed near The City of Norwich in England. Weighing just 120 pounds (!), Fischer completed 24 bombing missions to Germany as tail gunner on a B-24 Liberator with the Eighth Air Force. He was discharged in October 1945.
Returning to the US, he entered Temple University in February 1946, graduating with a B.S. In Pharmacy. Fischer passed the State Board and became a Registered Pharmacist in 1949. During this period, he also served with the US Marine Corps Reserves.
In December 1947, Fischer married Jeanne Coldwell Harry who died in 1998. They had two daughters: Donna Jean and Karen Lee, and a single grandchild, Olivia Kate.
Mr. Fischer was employed by Smith, Kline and French Labs (currently Glaxo Smith Kline) in 1949. For the next 37 years, he worked in various departments and capacities, retiring as Manager of Production Scheduling and Warehouse Distribution in January 1986.
From 1953 to 1979, both Elmer and Jeanne Fischer performed with the Music Theatre of Abington for 19 years. Mr. Fischer also served there as producer in 1979, and was onstage for three shows with the Allens Lane Music Theatre.
A stand-out in Shop Class, Fischer continued to work in wood and metal: inventing, repairing, and constructing items for home, yard, and vehicle use. He loved to play softball and often got together with a group of neighbors for touch football. Of course he was a Phillies fan, over-the-moon when they won the World Series!
Mr. Fischer was also a member of the 2nd Air Division Association which is composed of veterans who flew, maintained, or otherwise supported the B-24 bombers stationed in Norwich. The 8th Air Force Division's living memorial is a wing of the city's library. Mr. and Mrs. Fischer attended more than 20 Association reunions in England and across the U.S.
Fischer's other memberships and activities include more than 50 years in the Masonic Lodge; American Legion; V.F.W.; Upper Moreland Historical Society; and Resurrection Lutheran Church where he sang in the choir and served on the Property and Worship committees. He was a fine tenor, a part in vocal groups that is often rare.
As a WWII veteran, Fischer was knowledgeable about European history and geography but always enjoyed learning. At age 62-63, he attended Montgomery County Community College, bringing a unique perspective to his courses. The students were mesmerized by the small wooden Hitler figure, twice their ages, which he brought to class!
Elmer Fischer was an avid reader, unfazed by his macular degeneration due to his Kindle in which he could greatly enlarge the print. At last count, he had read 100 books, mostly non-fiction, from January through August 2018. He watched “Jeopardy” religiously, playing and keeping score for himself. Mr. Fischer was a skillful writer and public speaker, with the impressive vocabulary of a born reader.
His daughters' and the Kraske families; his deceased wife Jeanne Harry's extended family; friends, neighbors, and associates will greatly miss Elmer Fischer who died peacefully last week in Spring House, Pennsylvania.
Relatives and friends were invited to his visitation on Tuesday, July 2, 2019 from 10:30 A.M. and funeral service at 11:00 A.M. at Resurrection Lutheran Church, 620 East Welsh Road, Horsham, PA 19044. His graveside service followed with military honors rendered by the United States Air Force at Hillside Cemetery, 2556 Susquehanna Road, Roslyn, PA 19001.
Religious services were conducted by Rev. Ellen Meissgeier from Resurrection Lutheran Church.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Resurrection Lutheran Church, 620 East Welsh Road, Horsham, PA 19044.
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