PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Merlin J. Christisen, 76, of Perryville died Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2015, at his home in Perry County.

He was born July 16, 1939, in Perry County, son of Ludwig and Evelyn Mary Schremp Christisen. He married Anna Mae Braun on July 19, 1958, in Perryville. She survives.

Merlin retired from General Motors after 34 years as a blacksmith. Merlin was a member of St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church. He was a talented musician, playing with the Country Reflections Band all around the area.

Survivors include his wife, Anna Christisen of Perryville; two sons, Stanley (friend Kathy) Christisen of Uniontown, Missouri, and Darryl (Lisa) Christisen of Foristell, Missouri; his mother, Evelyn Schubert of Perryville; four brothers, Ted (Janet) Christisen and Alan (Renee) Christisen, both of Perryville, Roy (Shirley) Christisen of St. Mary, Missouri, and David (Nancy) Christisen of Bluegrass, Iowa; five sisters, Judy (Bob) Fry of Fenton, Missouri, Norma (Gary) Schumer, Patricia (Rod) Torbert, Donna (Neal) Mahnken and Loretta Wood, all of Perryville; and four grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his father; one daughter, Debra Christisen; four brothers, Robert, Larry, Kenneth and Ronald Christisen; and two sisters, Carolyn Grindstaff and Terrie Emmendorfer.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday and from 6:30 to 10 a.m. Tuesday at Miller Family Funeral Home in Perryville.

The funeral service will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday in the Miller Family Chapel. The Rev. Rich Wehrmeyer will officiate. Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery.

Memorials are preferred to family use.