Published on May 21, 2025 6:20 am
Last Updated on May 21, 2025 4:18 pm
Gerald J. Probst Sr., 81 of Watson, passed away Monday, May 19, 2025 at HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 am on Saturday, May 24, 2025 at the First Church of God in Effingham with burial in Watson Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be held at the church on Friday from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm, and for one hour prior to the funeral service on Saturday. Memorial donations may be given to the local DAV Chapter 7 or to the Effingham American Legion Post 120.
Gerald was a man of many words, so it’s difficult to sum him up into only a few. He was born in 1943 to Charles and Marie (Wernsing) Probst, and was one of eight siblings. He married Nancy Lee Crawford on March 19, 1964 and she preceded him in death in 2015. Gerald dedicated himself to serving both his country and community—first as a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Air Force during two tours in the Vietnam War, and later by rising through the ranks to become Effingham’s Assistant Police Chief. When retirement grew boring, he decided to round out his career as a security officer at St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital.
Gerald loved his ice-cold Coronas as much as he loved ice cream. He loved hunting, fishing, and anything else he could do outside. He was stubborn, determined, and loved nothing more than to give people “a hard time”. No one was a stranger to him because he knew almost everyone in town, and if he didn’t, he’d find a way to strike up a conversation with you anyway. Gerald was the very definition of a family man as a husband, brother, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather. He always went to school functions with his grandkids, and all the other kids would beg him to be their grandpa too.
He is survived by his children, Gerald Probst Jr. (wife, Rhonda), Douglas Probst, and Tammy Watson; grandchildren, Danielle, Nathan, Jessica, Alex, Jacob, Holly and Wyatt; great-grandchildren, Vanessa and Jaaziah Wade; siblings, Connie Probst Aird, Karl Probst, Richard Probst, and Robert Probst; many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews also survive.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife; sister, Barbara Jean Grummel; brothers, David Probst and James “Jim” Probst.