Gerry A. Kirst, age 85 of Glen Carbon, IL, born March 24, 1936 in Farrar, MO, passed away on April 26, 2021 at Meridian Village in Glen Carbon, IL.

Gerry was a homemaker and enjoyed caring for and spending time with her family. She enjoyed reading, crafts, traveling, and going on short-term mission trips around the world. She was a member of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Collinsville and the Lutheran Women's Missionary League.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Otto and Esther ( nee Bock) Koenig; three sisters: Mickey, Fern, and Gladys; and a brother, Merlin.

She is survived by her husband, Rev. Donald Kirst, whom she married on August 1, 1959; four daughters: Sherrie (Bruce) Smith of Justice, IL, Donna Kirst of Collinsville, IL, Lorrie Kirst of Manassas, VA, and Tonya (David) Peter of Kirkwood, MO; five grandchildren: Kirsten, Kaitlyn (Roman), Kenton (Audrey), Ethan, and Benjamin; a brother, Rich (Dot) Koenig of Jackson, MO; and a sister, Jean (Marv) Poenitske of Brentwood, TN.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, April 29, 2021 at Barry Wilson Funeral Home in Maryville, IL and from 10 to 11 a.m. on Friday, April 30 at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Collinsville, IL.  Due to the COVID-19 restrictions, social distancing guidelines will be observed and masks are required to be worn.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, April 30, 2021 at the church with Rev. Kyle Wright officiating.  Burial will be in Holy Cross Lutheran Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Lutheran Women's Missionary League or MOST Ministries and will be received at the visitation or can be mailed to the funeral home at 2800 N. Center Street, Maryville, IL 62062.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at barrywilsonfuneralhome.com