Maria Gast Kistler, 89, of Columbia, died Sunday, July 31, 2016. Born June 7, 1927 in Kempten, Germany, she was the daughter of the late George and Theresia Ostermeier Gast.

She was a member of Rehoboth United Methodist Church where she volunteered in the Food Pantry. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star Chapter # 273.

Survivors include her sons, Eugene Kistler (Guong), George Kistler (Susan), Frank Kistler, William Kistler (Sherry) and Patrick Kistler (Renee) all of Columbia; daughter in-law, Carol Kistler; daughter, Virginia Finger of Germany; sisters, Alice Milton of Columbia, and Leni Baptist and Christina Miggenrieder both of Germany; 27 grandchildren and 36 great-grandchildren; and her adoptive family, Mike Eddins, Jr., Becky Forristal, and Glenn Eddins. In addition to her parents and her husband, George W. Kistler, she was preceded in death by a son, Nathan Kistler; three grandchildren, Brandon, Amy and Amanda Kistler; a brother, Andreas Gast; sisters, Theresia Mannl and Zenta Karg; and the second love of her life, Mike Eddins.

A graveside service for Mrs. Kistler will be held 11 o'clock, Friday, August 5th, at Greenlawn Memorial Park, 7100 Garners Ferry Road, Columbia with Pastor Douglas Benton officiating. The family will receive friends Thursday, August 4th from 5 until 7 o'clock at Shives Funeral Home, Trenholm Road Chapel, 7600 Trenholm Road Ext, Columbia.

The family would like to extend a special thanks to her dear friends, Ed and Jeanette Burch, and Joe and Donna Palma, who have given wonderful support over the past two years. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in her name to Rehoboth United Methodist Church, Food Pantry, 6911 Two Notch Road, Columbia, SC 29223 or to Palmetto Health Children's Hospital, P.O. Box 602575, Charlotte, NC 28260.