James Edwin Probst Sr.

James "Jim" Edwin Probst Sr. age 83, of Linn, Mo., passed away Thursday, November 9, 2017, at his residence in Linn. Jim was born June 30, 1934, a son to the late Elmer and Catherine (Haney) Probst in Handy, Mo., located in rural Ripley County. Following graduation from high school in Freemont, Mo., Jim enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1953, and was deployed to Korea where he served as a Military Policeman during the war. His military career spanned nearly four decades, culminating in his retirement in 1992, as the Command Sergeant Major of the 135th Signal Battalion, 35th Infantry Division. Jim was united in marriage to Billie Dean Pence on May 31, 1958. She survives of the home. In 1984, Jim received ordination as a minister, serving first as a Superintendent of Christian Education for the Church of God in Savannah, Mo. Together with Billie, Jim founded and pastored a small church in Maryville, Mo. where they also held weekly services for area nursing home residents. Moving to St. Joseph in 1987, Jim pastored the North Church of God before retiring from active ministry in 1993. Jim followed Billie in her passion as a Red Cross volunteer. In addition to deployments for hurricanes, floods and fires, they deployed to New York following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, spending five weeks near ground zero providing meals to rescue workers. In addition to his wife of 59 years, Jim is survived by: two sons, James Probst and his wife Kathy of St. Louis and A.J. Probst and his wife Cheryl of Linn; three sisters, Polly Sisco of Handy, Bonnie Davis of Doniphan and Maggie Adair of Kansas City; four grandchildren, Kimberly Warden and her husband Steve and Gabe Probst of St. Louis and Louis Probst and his wife Ariel and Luke Probst and his wife Autumn of Linn; three great-grandchildren, Jackson and Ruby Warden of St. Louis and Ezra Probst of Linn; as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Jim was preceded in death by: three brothers, Elmer Jr., Gene and John Probst; one sister, Peggy Ray; and a granddaughter, Lili. Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 11, 2017, at Morton Chapel in Linn. An additional visitation will be held from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 12, 2017, at the Edwards Funeral Home in Doniphan, Mo. Funeral Services will be at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, November 13, 2017 at the Handy Union Church in Handy, Mo. with Rev. Jim Davis officiating. Interment will follow in the Handy Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the charity of the donor's choice. Local arrangements are under the direction of Morton Chapel, Linn, Mo. (573-897-2214) www. mortonchapel.com