Erwin Palau, age 84, of Collinsville, Illinois, born May 24, 1938, in Oberstdorf, Germany, passed away on Monday, January 2, 2023, at his residence surrounded by his family.

Erwin emigrated to the United States from Germany in 1957.  He attended and graduated from East St. Louis High School and Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.  He retired from Ralston Purina/Nestle after 25+ years as an accounting manager.  He was a member, as well as past treasurer and financial secretary, of St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Caseyville and Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Collinsville.  Erwin was one of the founding fathers of Metro-East Lutheran High School, where he served on the board of directors for many years. He loved playing soccer and coaching for the Collinsville Area Soccer Association and Metro-East Lutheran High School.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Emil and Martha (nee Fiebich) Palau.

Surviving are his wife of 56 years, Louise (nee Kercheval) Palau, whom he married on May 28, 1966; two sons:  David (Jamie) Palau of Neenah, Wisconsin, and Erik (Pum) Palau of Ballwin, Missouri; a daughter, Melinda (Robert) Hawley of Edwardsville, Illinois; and five grandchildren:  Madison, Lauren, Olivia, Alec, and Logan.

Visitation will be 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. on Friday, January 6, 2023, at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Collinsville.

Funeral service will follow at 11:30 a.m. with Rev. Kyle Wright officiating.  Burial will be in Holy Cross Lutheran Cemetery, Collinsville.

Memorials are suggested to Holy Cross Lutheran School or Metro-East Lutheran High School and will be received at the visitation, or can be mailed to Barry Wilson Funeral Home, 2800 North Center Street, Maryville, Illinois, 62062.