Dateline: Alton
William Gerald Rister, 96, died at 7:10 p.m. Sunday, January 28, 2024 at La Bella of Alton with his family by his side. Born January 25, 1928 in Elsah, IL, he was the son of William H. and Violet (Stucker) Rister. He served with the U.S. Air Force in Guam during WWII. In 1989 he retired as a lineman from Union Electric and was a member of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers for 75 years. On November 17, 1956 he married the former Dorothy Nevlin at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Beltrees. She preceded him in death on July 7, 2016. Above all, his family was his pride and joy. He was a very humble man and an avid outdoorsman. He enjoyed gardening, fishing and hunting and was a member of the Alton VFW Post 1308. Surviving are two daughters, Bonnie Hindelang (Dan Hornsey) of Grafton, and Diana Crowder (Kevin) of Brighton, two sons, Joe Rister (Jennifer) of Brighton, and Duane Rister (Candy) of Fosterburg. Also surviving are nine grandchildren, Anna Gonzales Hindelang, Michael Crowder, Kathryn Crowder, Paige Rister, Brooke Rister, Morgan Rister, Derek Spencer, Abbie Kitson, and Trevor Rister, three great grandchildren, Delilah Spencer, Weston Shomshor, and Theo Gonzales Hindelang, one brother, Noel "Butch" Rister (Darlene) of Alton, and one sister, Charolette Dershewitz (Gene) of Eugene, Oregon. Along with his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by two brothers, David Rister at birth, and Joe Rister, two sisters, June Cronin and Clara Kennedy, and a son-in-law, Richard Hindelang. Visitation will be from 4:00-7:00 p.m. Thursday, February 1, 2024 at Gent Funeral Home in Alton where funeral services will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday, February 2, 2024. Burial will be at Elsah Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Village of Elsah Memorial Bench Program. Online guestbook and information may be found at www.gentfuneralhome.com