Joan Mary (Schaefer) Fisher, 96, of Murphysboro, Illinois, peacefully passed away on March 29, 2026, in St. Louis, Missouri, surrounded by her family.

She was born on March 28, 1930, to the late Bill and Angie Schaefer in Bernheimer, Missouri. She was raised on a farm on Pointers Creek outside of Linn, Missouri and was the second of 10 children.

Joan preferred chores that took her outdoors, and she enjoyed roaming the hills while herding dairy cows and teaching herself to play harmonica.

After graduating high school, Joan worked at Curlee Clothing in St. Louis and returned home frequently to visit family.

While visiting cousins in Groom, Texas, she met Walter Schneider and in 1950 they were married in Linn. While Walter served in the U.S. Army in Korea, Joan tended to their growing family. Upon honorable discharge from the Army, Joan and Walter made their way to El Paso, Texas.

Joan was a devoted mother of six and a stay-at-home mom. She made every neighborhood kid feel welcome at her house.

Joan earned her degree to become a registered nurse in 1978 and worked in psychiatric and substance abuse care for approximately 20 years.

She met her second husband while country and western dancing in El Paso. In 1983, Joan and Leo Fisher were united in marriage in Las Cruces, New Mexico. After retiring, Joan and Leo moved to Thebes, Illinois and built their dream home next to a lake in the country. They were married nearly 40 years until Leo passed away in 2023.

Joan enjoyed sewing clothes for the family and herself, cooking, gardening, playing volleyball, raising peacocks and other fowl, and shopping. She was an avid birdwatcher, reader and card player, i.e., Nertz. Joan traveled frequently and especially enjoyed visiting her children and grandchildren. She was a formidable opponent at video games, especially Wii Golf & Bowling and Tetris Attack. Her favorite western novels were by Ralph Compton and Zane Grey. Joan loved living by the Mississippi River, fishing and viewing the scenery. She excelled as a conversationalist.

At 96 Joan was still playing the Missouri Waltz on the harmonica, ever a fun-loving and caring lady. She encouraged everyone to learn, be a productive member of their community, have fun and be thankful for what they have. She will be missed very much.

Joan was preceded in death by spouse, Leo Fisher; parents, Bill and Angie; siblings, Betty Jane Thoenen, Albert Schaefer, Lillian Luckenotte, Jerry Schaefer, and Dick Schaefer; and foster daughter, Grayce Hinote.

She is survived by children, Karen Carr and husband Bill, Janet Schneider and husband Jim Rekart, Daniel Schneider, Bill Schneider and wife Pam, Elaine Schneider and husband Ron Burrows, and Donna Krupinski and husband Jack; siblings, Bob Schaefer, Eugene Schaefer, Susan Evers, and Tom Schaefer and wife Susan; 24 grandchildren and great-grandchildren; and a multitude of nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions suggested to the Arbor Day Foundation at shop.arborday.org.

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