Larry Stanton Fisher

Larry Stanton Fisher passed away in Florida with family by his side on January 4, 2023, at the age of 73. 

Larry was born in 1949 to Johnque and Stanton Fisher and was raised on a farm in Jennings County.  He grew up helping his parents on the farm, never a stranger to hard work.

During his high school years, Larry started working at a local flower shop, which inspired him to open his own business later in life.  He graduated from North Vernon School in 1967 and went on to graduate from the College of Mortuary Science in 1969.  He worked as a funeral director for many local funeral homes, both full and part time. He was a partner in North Vernon’s Vance-Fisher-Sawyer Funeral Home for several years. 

Larry married Joyce Arnholt in 1978, each bringing two children of their own to the marriage.  Larry was a proud father to those 4 children and a “Pappy” to 10 grandchildren, which you could often hear him bragging about. Beyond hisfamily, there were countless others who considered Larry to be a stand-in father or grandfather. He provided unconditional love and support to so many people, especially children who were in need.  He would have given the shirt off his back to anyone who needed it, no questions asked. 

When it comes to service to the community, Larry started early and never stopped.  He had a lengthy career in politics, serving the people of Bartholomew County as the first non-physician elected to the office of Coroner in 1984.  In all, he served as coroner or deputy coroner for a total of 32 years.  This position, as well as his experience as a certified medicolegal death investigator, led Larry to service at the state level on the Indiana State Coroners Association Board of Directors, where he also provided training to other Indiana coroners. Larry also served 4 years on the Bartholomew County Council.  His political career went beyond public office when he previously held positions of secretary, vice-chairman, and chairman of the Bartholomew County Republican Central Committee. Larry was also named chairman of the Columbus Emergency Ambulance Services Board in 2012. Most recently, Larry was elected to the Columbus Township Board. 

Outside of politics, he was one of the first organizers of the Columbus Day Parade which grew into the Columbus Ethnic Expo.  He volunteered as a reserve deputy for the Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Department for 37 years, and after spending several winters in Lake Placid, Florida, was named an honorary chaplain of the Highlands County Sheriff’s Office.  Larry was a dedicated and respected small business owner in Columbus since 1983, fulfilling his dream of owning and operating his own flower shop.  Fisher’s Flower Basket was where you could often find Larry’s family, friends, and acquaintances spending time and catching up on the day’s happenings.  Larry served on the Bartholomew County Fairboard for 21 years, many of those years as president of the board.  Larry was a member of St. Bartholomew Catholic Church where he served on the Worship Commission and Budget Committee, and volunteered as a Eucharistic Minister. Larry was a member of the Moose Lodge #398, where he enjoyed breakfast with friends almost daily. Larry could often be spotted mowing grass, both as an employee for the Bartholomew County Highway Department, and at his own home. 

Upon retirement, Larry and Joyce enjoyed their winters at Tropical Harbor in Lake Placid, Florida, where Larry made numerous friends and was involved in many activities. He carried on his tradition of playing Santa Claus, with Joyce sometimes joining him as Mrs. Claus.

Larry has selflessly served the people of Bartholomew County and Indiana, and has set an example of hard work and dedication to everyone who has crossed his path.  In recognition of this service, he received Bartholomew County’s Rural Service Award in 2016. Larry will be most remembered by his heart of gold, his fierce protection of those he loved, his undying nature to serve, and his appreciation for a great breakfast with his grandchildren or lifelong friends.

Larry is survived by his wife, Joyce; children, Eric (Lauren) Fisher, Nichole (Chad) Phillips, Jennifer (Adam) Markle, and Scott McGuire; grandchildren, Emelia Frederick (William Nelson), Nicholas McGuire, Jack Fisher (Claire Hornberger), Mason Phillips, Ashton Kissick, Collin Phillips, Aidan Kissick, Andrew Fisher, and Ethan Hall; mother-in-law, Berniece Arnholt; and several nieces and nephews. 

Larry is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Madge Davidson; brother, Virgil Fisher; granddaughter, Kate Fisher; and father-in-law, Kenneth Arnholt.

The funeral will be at 12:30 PM, on Thursday, January 12, 2023, at St. Bartholomew Catholic Church with Fr. Chris Wadelton officiating. Visitation will be from 4-8 PM on Wednesday, January, 11, 2023, at Sawyer-Pickett Funeral Home in North Vernon, and at the church beginning at 10:30 until the service. Interment wil be in Garland Brook Cemetery. The funeral service will be live streamed and can be viewed at https://saintbartholomew.org. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to FOP’s Shop with a Cop via Sawyer-Pickett Funeral Home, or by mail to PO Box 204, Columbus, IN 47201. Alternatively, contributions may be made to Advocates for Children (CASA) via the funeral home, or online at https://www.apowerfulvoice.org/giving.  

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