Mary Eugenia Probert passed away peacefully in her home surrounded by her children on Wednesday morning, December 28, 2016, at the age of 89. She was born in Gary, Indiana, on October 27, 1927, to Sylvene and Ray Hoeppner. When Mary was in fourth grade, her family moved to Golden City, Missouri, where she attended school until her senior year when she moved to St. Louis and graduated from Soldan High School. While in St. Louis, she attended Harris Teacher’s College, later finishing her education degree and pursuing her masters at Pittsburg State University.
Mary married Joseph Edward Probert in 1950. They raised three children together while operating a dairy farm. Mary was a well-loved teacher whose zeal for teaching music inspired many to appreciate and pursue music performance and education. She taught in rural Missouri schools, including Pleasant Valley, Bois D’Arc, Bloomingdale, Dewey, Star Valley, and Avilla. She spent 19 of her 30-year teaching career as the music teacher at Jasper Elementary School. She received several prestigious awards at both the local and state level. What made her the most proud was being able to help her students and choirs receive I ratings in competitions, and they often did. When she retired on May 13, 1983, the school declared it “Mary Probert Day.” Upon her retirement, Mary became active in Missouri Retired Teachers Association, serving in many roles, including President of the organization. She was her region’s nominee for the Missouri Retired Teacher of the Year award in 2004. Mary was often still called upon in retirement to help students prepare for competition and to fill in at Golden City and Dadeville schools, resulting in a new generation of Mrs. Probert fans, including her own grandson and his classmates.
Also in retirement, Mary was a very active “GrandMary” to five adoring grandchildren, survived treatment for neck cancer and later breast cancer, worked at the government FSA office and Dot’s Fashions, and continued to raise cattle with her son, Randy. Mary was a long time member of First Christian Church in Golden City. She was the organist and choir director for over 30 years, putting on many wonderful cantatas. She started and directed the “Belles of Glory” bell choir. She was the chairperson of services concerning funerals and baby and bridal showers and faithfully attended Bible study and helped with VBS, the apple pie fundraiser, and in various capacities as needed. She volunteered for Meals on Wheels and was well respected in her community. Mary was very honored to receive Golden City’s Person of the Year award both in 1993 and 2014.
Mary was a loving servant and shining light to many. She will be remembered for her faith and devotion, energy and enthusiasm, spunk and wit. She was very blessed and would want all laud and glory to be to her Lord. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Joe, and her son-in-law Mark Koontz. She is survived by her son Tony Probert and wife Tina of Golden City, daughter Roberta Koontz of La Russell, son Randy Probert and wife Reina of Jasper; grandchildren: Kurt Koontz and wife Arron of Carl Junction, Courtney Sletten and husband Jake of Freistatt, Mallory Smith and husband Matthew of Berryville, AR, Blake Probert of Springfield, and Chase Probert of Springfield; five great grandsons: MJ and Bradley Sletten, Landry and Holden Koontz, and Huxley Smith; two brothers-in-law: Ed Weinstein and Orville Duncan; and two sisters-in-law: Wanda Probert and Betty Probert; and many nieces, nephews, former students, choir members, fellow musicians, and friends.
Visitation will be on Monday, January 2, 5:30-8:30 p.m., at Ulmer Funeral Home and the funeral service will be held on Tuesday, January 3, 2:00 p.m., at First Christian Church in Golden City.
Memorial gifts may be given to the First Christian Church of Golden City or to the Mary E. Probert Music Scholarship Fund in care of Ulmer Funeral home.
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