Anthony "Tony" Gist

Anthony “Tony” Gist, 56, peacefully passed away in the comfort of his family December 20, 2019. He was born April 23, 1963 in Chicago, Illinois to Violet Gist and Javis Ryals, Jr. He moved to South Haven, Michigan at a young age to be raised by his Aunt Elnora and Grandville Merriweather, Sr. He graduated from L.C. Mohr High School in South Haven, Michigan. In his early 20s, Tony decided to move to Minnesota to pursue a career as a truck driver. He met and married Cheri Hoban. During their union, they had one son, Anthony Gist, Jr. and one grandson, Anthony Gist, III.

Tony enjoyed sports, especially playing basketball, but his greatest joy was spending time with his nieces and nephews and his dog Sonja.

He is preceded in death by his grandparents – Minnie and Henry Gist and Fannie and Javis Ryals, Sr.; mother – Violet Gist Valiant; father – Javis Ryals, Jr.; sister – Linda Gist; aunt and uncle – Elnora and Grandville Merriweather, Sr.

Tony is survived by his son – Anthony “T.J.” (McKenize) Gist, Jr.; grandson – Anthony Gist III; sisters – Beverly Gist, Kimberly Gist, Valerie Gist, Cathy Gist, Carolyn Gist, and Tonya Gist; nephews – Fletcher III, Lamont, Dekwan, Demetrius, Detavion, and Jawan; nieces – Summer, Courtni, Felicia, Tamera, Tearni, Danyelle, Silita, Danica, Mya, Mariah, Matyriah, Felix, and Jermaine; special friend – Nancy West; thirty great nieces and nephews, and a host of cousins.

Wake will be held from 2:00 P.M. to 3:00 PM on Saturday, January 4, 2020 at the Filbrandt Family Funeral Home in South Haven. Funeral services will follow the wake at 3:00 PM at the funeral home.