STELLA PROBERT APRIL 1, 1924 – DECEMBER 11, 2018 BORN IN COLORADO SPRINGS, COLORODO RESIDED IN GRANITE CITY, ILLINOIS Stella Probert, age 94, passed away on December 11, 2018 at Eden Village Retirement/Care Center in Glen Carbon, Il with family by her side. She was previously a resident of Granite City, Il. Stella was born on April 1, 1924 in Colorado Springs, Colorado, the daughter of the late John and Anna (Laurenitis) Zilinsky and a first-generation natural born citizen of the United States.
Stella was from a large Lithuanian family and the last living of her six siblings. Stella graduated from Benld High School in 1942 and was the only child in the family to receive further higher education by receiving a degree from St. Louis Business College in 1943. She later married Arthur Henry Probert (“Babe”) of Gillespie, IL on October 30, 1943 at St. Liborius Catholic Church in St. Louis while he was on leave from service during World War 2.
As Arthur was deployed to various regions of the United States and abroad, Stella traveled with her husband when possible and worked at numerous government depots. At the end of the war, they located to St. Louis, MO and later settled in Granite City, Illinois. Stella was a wonderful stay at home wife and mother until the children were older, then returned to work at Louis Cohen Realty in St. Louis and later in her young mid-70’s, part time at a local heating and air conditioning company.
She enjoyed cooking, sewing, playing cards with friends and family (particularly pinochle), traveling, letter writing, baseball games, listening to the radio and television news outlets particularly staying informed on politics and current events. She was always willing to help those in need around her whether it be other family members, friends or acquaintances. She loved her husband, children and grandchildren more than life itself.
She lived with the intention of passing along the legacy and words of wisdom of her past generations. Throughout her life she often referenced conversations with her parents regarding the importance of God and His gifts and having faith and family in our lives. She was a lifelong member of the Catholic Church and especially faithful to God.
She will be remembered for all the special and happy times shared with family and friends, as well as being a prayer warrior for those in need. The family has volumes of wonderful, happy, funny (and a very few sad) stories of Stella and Art’s life that will be reflected upon for many years to come. The family is blessed.
She is survived by and will be missed by her two daughters and son-in-laws, Carol (James) Patterson of Troy, Il, and Sandra (Michael) Jacobs of Glen Carbon, Il. , grandchildren Amy (Tom) Wonsil of Grayslake, Il, Michael (Stacy) Patterson of Chesterfield, MO, Stefanie (Matt) Klamm of Glen Carbon, Il, Kate (Matt) Metz of Edwardsville, Il. , great-grandchildren Ashleigh Wonsil, Scott Wonsil, Jane Patterson, Alexandra Klamm, Taylor Klamm, Zackary Metz, Benjamin Metz, very special niece Dolores Gray, very special nephew Rick Probert, loving nieces, nephews, extended family members and friends.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband of 55 years, Arthur Henry Probert; sisters Ann (Marion) Milton, Isabel (Tony) Bommarito and brothers John (Pauline), William (Louise), Charles (Lois), Harry (Dorothy) Zilinsky, and niece Patricia Zilinsky Lambros. In celebration of Stella’s life, visitation will be at St. Jerome Catholic Church, 511 S. Main St., Troy, Il 62294 from 9:00 to 10:00 am. Mass to follow at 10:00 am with Father Kevin Laughery as Celebrant and Father Don Wofford as Co-Celebrant.
Burial will follow at Sunset Hills Memorial Estates Cemetery in Glen Carbon, Il. 62034. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be made to the Lewy Body Dementia Association (found online at www.
lbda.org, or LBDA, 912 Killian Hill Rd. ,S.W. Lilburn, GA 30047,or may be accepted at Irwin Chapel. ) Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.
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