Muncie, Ind.-John W. Fisher, longtime local civic leader and businessman since the 1940’s, passed away Sunday, June 28, 2009 at Ball Memorial Hospital following an extended illness.
He was born July 15, 1915 in Walland, Tennessee, the son of A.J. Fisher and Rachel (Malott) Fisher. Mr. Fisher received his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Tennessee in 1938. John married Janice Kelsey Ball on August 10, 1940. After two years as a national field secretary for Delta Tau Delta fraternity, he entered the Harvard Graduate School of Business Administration and was awarded an MBA degree for the institution in 1942. He was awarded Honorary Doctor of Law degrees by Ball State University; Butler University; DePauw University and Indiana University.
John was an honorary director and retired chairman; President and Chief Executive Officer of Ball Corporation and served as chairman emeritus of the Board of Directors. Mr. Fisher joined the company in 1941 as a trainee. Following nine years in various manufacturing assignments he was named Vice President of sales. He was elected a Corporate Vice President in 1963, and was named President and C.E.O. in 1970. Mr. Fisher retired as C.E.O. in 1981 and as Chairman of the Board in 1986. He served as a Director of Ball Corporation from 1943 to 1986 and continued as a member of the Executive Committee until 1992.
Mr. Fisher was a life director of the National Association of Manufacturers - the voice for American industry - and was past Chairman of the N.A.M. Board.
Mr. Fisher was a Director and past Chairman of Old National Trust Company, Muncie, Indiana; Chairman of CID Capital, Indianapolis, Indiana; Chairman and Director of Kindel Furniture Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan; Chairman of Pri-Pak in Lawrenceburg; Director of Sherry Laboratories, Daleville, Indiana; President of Fisher Properties of Indiana, Inc.; and a partner in Blackwood & Nichols, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and was a Director of Cardinal Ethanol.
He was a past Director of American National Bank, Muncie, Indiana; Indiana Bell Telephone Company; Ransburg Corporation and Stokely-Van Camp, all of Indianapolis, Indiana; Inland Steel Company, Chicago, Illinois; New York Stock Exchange; Grocery Manufacturers of America; and Devon Energy Corporation, Oklahoma, City, Oklahoma.
Mr. Fisher’s community and civic contributions include serving as a life Director and past President of the Indiana State Chamber of Commerce. He is also a past President of the Glass Packaging Institute. He served as Chairman of Cardinal Health System in Muncie, Indiana; a life Trustee of DePauw University; a member of the University of Tennessee Development Council; and Chairman and President of Ball Brothers Foundation. He also served as Director and President of the Muncie Chamber of Commerce and Rotary Club as well as the former Muncie Community Chest. Mr. Fisher served two governors as a member of the Commission for Higher Education, once as Vice Chairman. He was a member of the Governor’s Commission on Medical Education and was a member of the East Central Indiana Committee on Medical Education. Mr. Fisher was a member of the High Street United Methodist Church in Muncie, Indiana.
Survivors include his wife of over 69 years, Janice, (Ball) Fisher, Muncie; their children, Joan F. Woods, (husband-Randy), Lake Leelanau, Michigan; Michael J. Fisher, (wife-Dawn), Lake Leelanau, Michigan; James A. Fisher, (wife-Elizabeth), Muncie, Indiana; Jeffrey E. Fisher, (wife-Nancy), Leland, Michigan; Judith F. Oetinger, (husband-Tom), Prospect, Kentucky; John W. Fisher III, (wife-Joanne), Naples, Florida and Jerrold M. Fisher, (wife-Lisa), Vevay, Indiana; 19 grandchildren and 28 great grandchildren.
A Memorial Service will be held 2:00 p.m., Thursday, July 16, 2009 at High Street United Methodist Church, 219 S. High Street, Muncie, Indiana with Rev. Jack Hartman; Rev. Dr. Ronald Naylor and Rev. Tom Rough officiating. The family will receive friends in the Parish Hall at the church, immediately following the service. The Meeks Mortuary and Crematory, Washington Street Chapel is in charge of arrangements.
In addition, a service will be held August 12, 2009 at 2:00 P.M. in the Leland United Methodist Church in Leland, MI. A gathering in the church hall will follow.
In lieu of flowers, contributions to the charity of your choice.
Online condolences may be directed to the family at www.meeksmortuary.com