Stephen C. Probst

Stephen Carl Probst died February 19, 2023, at the age of 92. He passed away peacefully at his home surrounded by loved ones.

"Pops," as he was known to his family and close friends, was the loving father of Karen (Richard) Bettencourt, Jeffrey (Melanie) Probst, and Kevin (Vickie) Probst; cherished grandfather of Emily Bettencourt, Max (Sheridan) Bettencourt, Jonathan Probst, Danielle (Ryan) Saltzman, Beth (Corey) Seberger, Ryan (Taylor) Probst, Kara (James) Riedstra; and proud great grandfather of Carter and Lilly Saltzman, Madison and Mackinley Seberger, Joyce Riedstra and Bradley Probst. He is also survived by long-time companion Dorothea, sister Adele Riemerts, and many nieces and nephews.

Steve was born December 22, 1930 in Chicago and lived most of his life in the greater Chicagoland area. Although his birthday was just before Christmas, he much preferred to celebrate the two separately. He was the only son of Stephen and Helen Probst and loving brother to five sisters, Helen (Albert) Costa, Margaret (Paul) Mazan, Colette (George) Evans, Chantal (James) Deady, and Adele (Albert ”Bud”) Riemerts. In 1955, he married Joyce Woycheese, also of Chicago, and they spent nearly 44 years together before her untimely death in 1999.

Steve was drafted into the US Army at age 21 and served in combat in the Korean conflict, an experience he was reluctant to discuss. When he returned to civilian life, he began working as a mechanic in an auto body shop where a career was born. Steve later founded Probst Collison Center in New Lenox, and he was proud when it became a second-generation family-owned business with his sons.

Steve was a passionate racing enthusiast, a sport where he made many long-term friends. He was a diehard Chicago Bears fan, whether he was enjoying the game or bemoaning the result. For a time after he retired in his 70s, Steve also kept and rode trail horses, hearkening back to an early job working on a ranch. He loved dogs, barbecue, and sharing a cold beer with friends or family.

Steve was generally soft-spoken and easy-going, but was no-nonsense when it mattered. He was a hard worker, an honest businessman, and a quintessential fix-it guy. He will be missed very much.

A memorial mass will be held at St. Judes Catholic Church in New Lenox, IL. on Tuesday February 28th 2023 at 10:00 AM with Interment at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, Elwood 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation would be appreciated. Funeral arrangements handled by Kurtz Memorial Chapel, 102 E. Francis Road, New Lenox IL 60451, kurtzmemorialchapel.com or 815-485-3700