CHARLESTON – Daniel "Dan" George Durst, beloved husband of the late Mary Evelyn Martin Durst, entered into eternal rest on the evening of Oct. 18, 2009. He died peacefully in his sleep and in the presence of his family and friends.

Dan was born Aug. 13, 1916, in Charleston and was the son of George Washington Durst Jr. and Essie Mae Smoak. Mr. Durst graduated from Bennett Elementary School, The High School of Charleston and attended The Citadel. Dan grew up at Bethel Methodist Church, where he was active in youth activities and served as president of the State Youth Methodist Association. He frequently attended youth activities at Lake Junaluska.

Mr. Durst retired from the Charleston Naval Shipyard after 38 years. He was a supervisor in the Design Division, retiring as a Naval Architect and Civil Engineer. Mr. Durst won numerous awards for his dedicated service.

Dan and Evelyn met at the Charleston Naval Shipyard in 1945. They were married Jan. 27, 1946, at Citadel Square Baptist Church by Dr. Pettigrew. Mr. Durst was a long-time member of the Armor Bearer Men’s Class and a life deacon at Citadel Square Baptist Church. He served in various lay committees in the church and was a school board member of the Citadel Square Christian School.

Mr. Durst was a member of the Toastmasters Club, a founding member of the West Ashley Sertoma Club, National Association of Retired Federal Employees (NARFE), American Society of Naval Engineers, and The Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers. Past Master of the Franklin Masonic Lodge No. 96, he was an avid golfer and tennis player. Mr. Durst was also a member of the Navy Yard’s Building 8 Duck Pin Championship bowling team.

Mr. Durst was predeceased by his wife, Evelyn; sister, Frances Durst Festler; and two nephews, Paul Martin of Gaffney and Kenneth Festler of Charleston.

He is survived by three daughters, Kathryn Durst-Glenn (James), Karolyn Durst Talbert (Robert) and Brenda Dianne Durst, all of Charleston; four grandchildren, Maude Hoose (Fred), Emily Talbert Peyton (Darren), Jonathan Durst-Glenn and Katie Talbert, all of Charleston; four great-grandchildren, Rachel Evelyn Hoose, Sarah Glenn Hoose, Rebecca Lynch Hoose and Caroline Evelyn Peyton; two nephews, Donald Festler (Sandra) of Charleston and William Daniel Clark (Pamela) of Indianapolis, Ind.; and a sisterin law, Roxie Martin Scruggs of Gaffney.

Services will be held Thursday, Oct. 22, at 2 p.m. in Citadel Square Baptist Church. Interment will be in Magnolia Cemetery.

Friends may call at J. Henry Stuhr Downtown Chapel Wednesday, Oct. 21, from 5-7 p.m.

Memorials may be made to Citadel Square Baptist Church, 328 Meeting St., Charleston, SC 29403; First Baptist School, 48 Meeting St., Charleston, SC 29401; or Mt. Paran Baptist Church, Route 3, Box 222, Blacksburg, SC 29702.

Memorial messages may be sent to the family by visiting www .jhenrystuhr. com.