OBITUARY: Ralph C. Probst

Ralph C. Probst, age 85 of Sherwood died on Monday, December 6, 2021 at his home in Sherwood. He was born April 9, 1936 at his home in St. John son of the late Clemens & Crescentia (Bauer) Probst. Ralph married Karen Hauser on November 20, 1962 at St. John Sacred Heart Parish in Sherwood.

Early in his life, while farming, he hauled milk for Thiel Milk Products in St. John. After leaving the farm in 1978, he began working at the canning company and was a hired hand for Dave Weiland.

He was a member of St. John Sacred Heart Catholic Church, volunteered with the Harrison Fire Department and drove school bus making sure children got to and fro safely.

Ralph was a quiet man who loved his dogs and taking time to tend to his garden. In his younger years, he played baseball and set pins for bowling. Later in life, he looked forward to games of Cribbage and Sheepshead so he could visit with friends and family. As a huge history buff, Ralph was a man with a mind full of dates and he would rarely forget a birthday or anniversary or any significant date in the lives of those he loved and world events.

Ralph loved being in this area of the world and he enjoyed simple pleasures in life like bouncing his grandchildren on his knee and taking drives through the country side never following the same path twice.

Survivors include his children: Kathy Kesler, Lee (Nancy) Probst, Lynn (Chris) Benavides, Penny (Scott) Freier, Bill Probst; 17 grandchildren: Julie (Pat) Propson, Maria (Andy) Harbath, Joe (Amanda) Kesler, Matt Kesler, Emily (Roman) Molnar, Danny (Alexa) Kesler, Andy Kesler and his special friend, Allison, Philip Kesler, Peter Kesler, Nick Probst, Jackie Probst and her special friend, Dylan, Beth (Tyler) Kopplin, Christopher (Shannon) Benavides, Michael Benavides, Annie and her special friend, Mikey, Katie Benavides, Jared Freier and his special friend Ashley; great grandchildren: Maddie, Alana, Teddy, Henry, Maxwell, Nathan, Aaron, Charlie, Calvin; his siblings: Phyllis Kempen, Allen Probst; his in-laws: Nancy Probst, Joan Stumpf, Mary Hauser; and his beloved canine companion: Bella. He is further survived by his Godchildren, nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife: Karen; a son-in-law: Tony; his siblings: Vern, Arlyn & Leon Probst; along with other relatives and friends.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 am onTuesday, December 14, 2021 at St. John Catholic Church in St. John (N7692 Co Hwy BB Hilbert) with Rev. Michael Betley officiating. Burial will follow in the parish cemetery. Friends may call at the Wieting Family Funeral Home (411 W. Main St.) in Chilton from 4:00 pm until 7:00 pm on Monday, December 13, 2021 and on Tuesday at the church from 9:00 am until 10:45 am. A vigil service will take place Monday evening at the funeral home at the close of the visitation.

Ralph’s family would like to thank Harrison First Responders, the Calumet County Sheriff’s Department and Gold Cross for their compassionate care.