Lionel Darrell Fischer

Ava, Missouri

Lionel Darrell Fischer, 86 years, 9 months, and 2 days old, passed away on April 24, 2018 at Heart of the Ozarks Healthcare Center in Ava.

Darrell was born July 22, 1931 at his home in a holler in Huntington, West Virginia to Earl and Marcella Marie (Lester) Fischer.

Darrell and Joanie (McGurrin) were united in marriage on July 14th, 1951 and were blessed with three children.

He was a Navy Reservist during the Korean War and an apprentice with Cincinnati Milling Machine (now Cincinnati Millicron). After accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour, both he and his wife left his apprenticeship behind to spread the Lords gospel to the Chinese people together. Darrell and Joanie were Independant Baptist missionaries who spent 20 years in Taiwan with their family where three of the churches he founded are still growing and sending their own missionaries to other countries. They are Grace Baptist Tabernacle in Nan Gong, Taichung Baptist Tabernacle in Taichung, and TyPing Baptist Church in TyPing. He spoke fluent Mandarin and Taiwanese, an ususual accomplishment for a western missionary.

Darrell was preceded in death by his parents, and a 15 year old grandson, Isaac Nichols.

He is survived by his wife Joanie, a son, James Fischer and wife Peggy of South Bend, IN, two daughters, Cynthia Fischer of Norwood, OH, and Connie Fischer of Ava, MO, ten grandchildren, Joshua Gillis, Tamara Marshall, Benjamin Nichols, Nathan Nichols, Seth Nichols, Elijah Nichols, Hannah Fischer, Joel Fischer, and Luke Fischer, four great grandchildren, Stephen Marshall, Kylie Marshall, Rebecca Marshall, and Mason Nichols, one sister, Linda Froehlich and husband Ben of Lebanon, OH, and a host of other relatives and friends who will miss him greatly.

A memorial service for Darrell will be Monday, April 30th at 6:00 pm. This is a celebration of Darrell's life, and since he loved red clothing, please feel free to wear red or other brightly colored clothing. Visitations will be Sunday, April 29th, from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm, as well as Monday from 4:00 pm to service time. Officiating will be Pastor Neil Crum. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Bread Upon the Water Gospel Tract Ministry to continue Darrell's ministry in Taiwan. Services are being conducted by Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, MO.