Merrell Joseph Fischer, age 86, passed peacefully into his Heavenly Father's loving arms on Saturday, April 22, 2023. Devoted husband of 65 years to Sandra Brada Fischer. Adored father of 4 children: Lucy Vorst (Matthew), Martin (Bubby) Fischer (Lynn), Kenneth J. Fischer, and George A. Fischer (Ann Marie). Proud Grand-Pere' to sixteen grandchildren: Jeffrey Schluter (Ashley), Rachele Schluter Riley(Dereck), Luke Vorst, Mitchell Fischer(Rachel), Courtney Fischer, Victoria Fischer, Nicholas J. Fischer, Nicholas S. Fischer, Codey Fischer(Shareen), Dustin Fischer(Emily), Michelle Fischer, Michael Fischer, Emma Grace Fischer, Gavin Rowe, Ethan Rowe, Matthew Rowe and seven great-grandchildren. Beloved brother of the late Gerald A. Fischer (Patricia) and son of the late George A. Fischer, Jr. and the late Emma Fayard Fischer. Merrell was born in New Orleans on July 31, 1937. He was a graduate of DeLaSalle High School (1955) before briefly attending LSU. During and after high school he served in the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary at the New Orleans Station on Lake Ponchatrain. His career was in engineering with International Harvester Company, later known as International Truck and Engine (Navistar). He spent his years with the company in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Chicago, and Ft. Wayne, Indiana before retiring to Mississippi in 1995. He was actively involved with Toastmasters International throughout his career. He was a Cajun at heart and his northern friends loved when he shared southern stories and jokes. He was an active member of St. Thomas Catholic Church in Lexington, Mississippi and most recently attended St. Helena Catholic Church in Amite, LA. He was an accomplished football official and officiated for many years in the New Orleans area before being transferred with his career. He continued to enjoy critiquing officiating on television for the remainder of his life. He loved animals and while at the farm in Mississippi raised Native Gulf Coast Sheep, Black Angus Cattle, and had a life-time membership in the Black Angus Association. He enjoyed raising grapes, was an avid winemaker, beekeeper, and an avid runner. He was always the center of attention in a group and will be missed by countless many. A private graveside prayer service will be held on Monday, May 1, 2023 11 AM at Amite Memorial Gardens located at 59299 S. Laurel St., Amite, LA 70422. A memorial mass and "celebration of life" is being planned for July, 2023 in Amite, LA at a date yet to be determined.. McKneely Funeral Home, Amite, in charge of arrangements. For an online guestbook, visit http://www.mckneelys.com.