James A. Fiscus

James Augustine “Jim” Fiscus, 92, of Moon Township, formerly of Clarion, entered into eternal rest on Thursday, June 13, 2024 at Apple Blossom Senior Care Facility, following a short period of declining health. Jim is survived by the former Barbara Ann Wolbert, to whom he was bound in the holy sacrament of marriage on August 29, 1959 at Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Lucinda. Barb held Jim’s hand as he drew his final breath. They were inseparable. Jim was born in Punxsutawney on April 23, 1932, and was a son of the late Peter Augustine “Fred” and Loretta Agnes Burgoon Fiscus. He graduated from Clarion-Limestone High School in 1950, and attended Lincoln Welding School in Cleveland, OH. Jim worked at Rice Implements, Hanley Brick, and Joe David Construction. He then finally retired after 32 years of dedication, working as a tradesman, welder and mechanic from Owens-Illinois Glass Plant in Clarion. A devout Roman Catholic, Jim was a life-long parishioner of Saint Nicholas of Tolentino Catholic Church in Crates, and a proud 4th Degree Knight of the Immaculate Conception Knights of Columbus Council #7549. At Saint Nicholas Catholic Church, Jim served on multiple parish councils, was a consistent member of the church choir, and taught many years of religious education, dryly imparting teachings on the formation of conscience and moral values to captive teenage students. Jim and Barb faithfully prayed the Rosary together every night of their married life. He was also active in the secular community, spending many years serving as a member and president of the Clarion-Limestone School Board, as member and chairman of the board for the Clarion Federal Credit Union, and as a contributing member of the planning committee for Limestone Township. In his free time, unless he was devouring every word of the local newspaper or reading a book, which was usually westerns or Catholic topics, Jim was creatively busy in his workshop fixing almost anything, doing fine wood-working and cabinetmaking. He also enjoyed hunting at his family’s farm, mostly deer or turkey, with his brothers and/or sons, tending vegetable plants and raspberry bushes in his gardens, and canning/preserving the fruits of his labor with Barb at his side. Jim loved to share his wisdom and advice, but only when asked. Standing as lasting tributes to his ethic of hard work and astute know-how, Jim built his family home and 3-tier workshop himself. For heat, both structures relied mainly on a wood-burning stove or boiler. Every spring, Jim would harvest and collect 10 cords of firewood to last through the cold seasons. He also constructed the graveside shelter at the Saint Nicholas Catholic Cemetery where he will be interred. Jim loved spending time at the farm where he was raised. We have faith that he will find the shade of the ‘’old oak tree up on the hill field” when he enters the gates of Heaven. Jim and Barb raised 8 children: J. Brian (Faith Gniazdowski) Fiscus of South Carolina, Joseph (Colleen Iams) Fiscus of Corsica, Mary Lynn (Marc) Levesque of Massachusetts, Lori (Steve) Merwin of Limestone Township, Patricia (Martin) Bilodeau of Ontario, Karen (Christian) Harsch of Butler, Bradley (Mary Sue Penquite) Fiscus of Coraopolis, and Donna (Andrew) Garvin of Mechanicsburg. There are 20 grandchildren: Olivia Fiscus, Sarah Fiscus, Lucas Fiscus, Shelly Fiscus, Miriam Levesque, Lydia Levesque, Juliette Levesque, Corinne Levesque, Michael (Lauren) Merwin, Rebecca (Jansen) Sneltzer, Evelyne Bilodeau, Samuel Bilodeau, Annabelle Harsch, Jack Harsch, Grant Harsch, Morgan Harsch, Chester Harsch, Isabella Fiscus, William Gavin and Nathaniel Gavin, and a great granddaughter: Reagan Merwin. Jim is also survived by his beloved sister, Mary David of Sharon; 4 beloved brothers, Bernard Fiscus of Lake City, Charles (Kathleen Ott) Fiscus of McKean, Paul Fiscus of Erie, and Donald Fiscus of Virginia; and his dearest sisters-in-law, Marie Carroll Fiscus of Erie and Louise Siegel Fiscus of Marble; along with numerous nieces and nephews also surviving him. In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by 3 precious brothers, Richard Fiscus, Albert Fiscus and Frederick Fiscus. Family and friends will be received from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday, June 17, 2024 at the Robert V. Burns Funeral Home in Clarion. Additional viewing will be held from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at Saint Nicholas Catholic Church where Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. with Father Samuel Bungo presiding. Interment will follow in Saint Nicholas Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, please consider memorial donations be made in Jim’s name to the Limestone Township Volunteer Fire Company, 9790 Route 66, Clarion, PA 16214, the Clarion Area Agency on Aging, 16 Ventura Lane, Clarion, PA 16214, or the Saint Nicholas Catholic Cemetery maintenance fund, 201 Washington Street, New Bethlehem, PA 16242.

James A. Fiscus

April 23, 1932 - June 13, 2024