of Subiaco, AR

January 23, 1947 - December 17, 2025

Brother Edward Fischesser, OSB, age 78, monk of Subiaco Abbey, died on December 17, 2025. Edward Theodore Fischesser, Jr. was born January 23, 1947, in Cincinnati, Ohio. Edward was one of four sons born to the late Edward Fischesser, Sr. and Jane Scheid Fischesser. Edward received his elementary education at Our Lady of Victory School, Cincinnati. Following graduation, he attended secondary school at Elder High School, Cincinnati, graduating with the Class of 1966. Edward had been attracted to the religious life from a young age and after high school graduation, he made plans to join the Franciscan Brothers of the Poor of St. Francis. He entered the Brothers novitiate at Mount Alverno in Fayetteville, Ohio, on March 19, 1967. In 1968, he was assigned to the Brothers apostolate at Angel Guardian Orphanage, Chicago, Illinois, where he taught elementary school until 1970. During his station at Angel Guardian, he made his first profession of vows on June 13, 1969, and took the name Simon.

Brother Simon spent the years 1970-1973 as an elementary school teacher working for one year each at three schools: St. Vincent de Paul, Cincinnati; St. Anthony, North Vale, New Jersey; St. John Vianney, Cincinnati. On August 15, 1973, Brother Simon made his final profession of vows and was assigned to Morris School for Boys in Searcy, Arkansas, teaching mathematics and serving briefly as assistant principal. In September, 1994, when the Brothers had to give up Morris School because of their declining community, he applied to enter Subiaco Abbey, where another former Franciscan confrere, Brother Joseph Koehler, had entered the previous year. Brother Simon described his transfer from the Franciscan Order to the Benedictines to correspondent Judith Weaver in the August 22, 1998, edition of the Arkansas Catholic: "Over the years the dwindling number of brothers made it impossible to live in a large community. Some members lived alone in an apartment or at most were together in twos or threes. I felt called to live in a larger community. And I wanted a more structured prayer life, so I began the discernment process that led to my transfer to the Benedictine community in Subiaco." Following the canonical probation period, he professed his vows as a Benedictine monk of Subiaco Abbey on August 15, 1998, choosing to return to his baptismal name, Edward.

Brother Edward was appointed Manager of the Abbey laundry by Abbot Jerome Kodell, an apostolate he most efficiently and faithfully fulfilled until July, 2022. During an average month, the Abbey laundry might do up to 4,000 pounds (2 tons) of laundry, tending not only to the washing and pressing of monks' attire, but also linens for the Abbey proper, Abbey infirmary, retreat center, kitchen, and Academy. In addition to managing the Abbey laundry, Brother Edward was responsible for the Abbey's greenhouse and flower gardens. An avid gardener in his spare time, Brother Edward also enjoyed nature walks, and was an extensive collector of butterflies, Native American pottery, and arrowheads. On March 24, 2015, on the election of Abbot Leonard Wangler, Abbot Leonard appointed Brother Edward Prior of the Abbey. Brother Edward served faithfully as Prior until July, 2022. Congenial in manner and possessing a lively wit and intellect, Brother Edward was very well liked. Brother Edward was described by several of his confreres as a "solid, reliable person allaround" in his prayer life, his fulfillment of duties, his sense of responsibility and stewardship, as well as in his relations with people he came in contact with. Two years before his death, Br. Edward had knee replacement surgery and after that he became a resident of the Abbey Health Center. He remained in Senior Prayer Ministry until he died peacefully in his room in the Abbey Health Center. He is survived by two brothers, Steve and Tim, both of Cincinnati, OH.

May he rest in peace

A Wake Service will be held at 7:00 PM on Sunday, December 21, 2025, and the funeral will be Monday, December 22, at 10:00 AM.

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