Edward M. Hollister

Winona, MN Edward M. "Ted" Hollister, 87, of Lewiston, MN, died Saturday, January 17, 2009 at Community Memorial Hospital in Winona, MN. Edward was born on May 17, 1921 to Edward and Grace (Drawbridge) Hollister in Verdun, France where his father was serving in Graves Registry for World War I. He came to the United States at age three and lived in LaGrange and later moved to Joliet, IL in 1939. There he met Ruth Poehner and were married. Edward went into the Navy when World War II started and was trained in gunnery and to repair ship damage. He was then assigned to Destroyer Escort 642 Paul G. Baker. They saw action (torpedos, kamikazis, and typhoons) in the Solomon's, Marianas, Okinawa, Tokyo, and Bougainvillea. When the war ended Edward returned home to meet his new daughter, who was born while he was in the South Pacific. He worked as a machinist and went into the family business, Poehner & Dillman. Two sons were born during that time. He became an elder at the Church of the Good Shepherd, especially serving lifelong in church restoration. Ruth passed away. Edward retired and married Helen Matteson on June 26, 1981. Together they traveled, golfed and moved to Lewiston, MN. He especially enjoyed his children, grandchildren, step-children and their children. He will be dearly missed. Survivors include his wife Helen of Lewiston; three children, Edward (Anita) Hollister of Dallas, TX, Susan (Paul) Tanty of Manhattan, IL, and Frank Hollister of Montague, MI, five step-children; Barb Hamilton of Manhattan, IL, Bob (Louise) Matteson of Haines City, FL, Elizabeth (Duane) Wirt of Lewiston, MN, June (Dick) De Fore of Rio Rancho, NM, and Dr. Lynn (Dr. Dan) Pisaniello of Lowville, NY, six grandchildren; eight step-grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; one step-great-grandchild; and a sister Joan (Elmer) Geissler of Lockport, IL. Edward is preceded in death by his parents, sister Vivian Stoner and brother John Hollister. The Funeral Service for Edward will be held at 10:00am on Saturday, January 24, 2009 at the Church of the Good Shepherd in Joliet, IL with the Reverend David Green officiating. Burial will follow at Elmhurst Cemetery in Joliet. Friends may call from 5-7pm at Hoff Funeral Home - Lewiston Chapel on Thursday, January 22 and also one hour prior to the service at the church on Saturday. In lieu of flowers memorials are preferred to the Destroyer Escort Historical Museum and the Church of The Good Shepherd. Please feel free to share a memory of Edward with his family and sign the on-line guestbook at www.hofffuneral.com