Walter R. Holst, 88, of Collinsville, Ill., born Sunday, March 27, 1927, in Granite City, Ill., passed away Monday, Nov. 30, 2015, at the University Nursing and Rehab in Edwardsville, Ill.

Walter was a graduate of Collinsville High School. He was an Army veteran and served during the Korean conflict. After being discharged he attended the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago. He then attended Greenville College where he received a bachelor's degree in elementary education and then for 32 years worked for the Unit 10 School District as a teacher and administrator. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Collinsville and for many years was a Sunday school teacher. He also served his Lord in the Gideons International. This was a great ministry of placing Bibles in hospitals, nursing homes, medical and lawyer offices. He also enjoyed placing Bibles in the hands of school children, firemen, and policeman and service personnel.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Georgia, nee Manuel, Holst whom he married on April 21, 1984; a son, Mark Holst; parents, Fred and Ellen, nee Haldemann, Holst; and a brother, Fred Holst.

He is survived by his children, son David (Elaine) Holst of Homewood, Ill., daughter Beverly (Michael) Ruger of Collinsville, Ill., daughter Lois (Greg) Morris of Waxhaw, N.C., son Doug (Bethany) Holst of Collinsville, Ill., daughter Donna (Dan) Simon of Belleville, Ill., and daughter Darla (Mark) Day of Wood River, Ill.; sister, Helen (James) Shillito of Maryville, Ill.; brothers, Luther (Rose Ann) Holst of Glen Carbon, Ill., and Frank Holst of Colorado; stepdaughters, Lynn (Harry) Birlew of Dupo, Ill., Carol (David) Emke of Dupo, Ill. and Janet (David) Nulsen of Cahokia, Ill.

Memorials may be made to Gideons International.

Visitation: Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 4, 2015, at the Herr Funeral Home, Collinsville, Ill.

Funeral: Services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday Dec. 5, 2015, at the funeral home with Harry Birlew officiating. Interment will follow at Woodlawn Cemetery in Edwardsville, Ill.