Obituaries
Born in Morea, March 11, 1926, he was a son of the late John and Mary Demko Probition. He attended Mahanoy Township Schools.
He was a U.S. Navy veteran having served in WWII and the Korean War. He received the rank of SV6 and served on the USS Wichita, USS APL 8 and the USS Gordius ARL 36. He received the Philippine Liberation Ribbon, Pacific Theatre Ribbon and the American Theatre Ribbon.
He was a member of St. Joseph the Worker Parish, Frackville; serving as a lector and was former President of the Holy Name Society; He served as Scoutmaster of Troop 89; received the Silver Beaver Award and was a vigil member of scouting Order of the Arrow.
He was Past Grand Knight of the Rev. James A Hogan Knights of Columbus Council #2580, Frackville; Past President of Frackville Borough Council; past President of the North Schuylkill School Board, 16 years; past Vice-President of Schuylkill IU
Past President of Frackville Rotary; he was also a member of Goodwill Hose Company, Frackville, Friendship Fire Company, Englewood; DAV #30, Shenandoah; the Black Diamond Navy Club, Minersville and Past President of Resident Council of Broad Mountain Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Frackville.
He worked as a welder for Penn DOT and previously worked for #1 Contracting Company.
Joseph was preceded in death by his wife Elizabeth “Betty” Shemansik Probition, in 2004; an infant son Edward, III; a son Edward Probition, in 2015; sisters; Anna and Mary; brothers Edward, John and Francis.
He is survived by a son; Joseph M. Probition, Jr. and wife Suzie, Shenandoah Heights; grandchildren; Joseph Probition, III and Jennifer Dross; great granddaughter; Zarah Rose Dross; companion and caregiver Kathryn Koperna; Minersville; best friend; Betty Koperna; nieces and nephews; close friends; Jim and Ellen Ryan and family and their grandchildren children; Nicholas, Ella, Grace and Shane.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, February 18, at St. Ann’s R.C. Church, Frackville with Rev. Francis Iroot, as celebrant. Relatives and friends are invited to a visitation Monday evening from 6 to 8 pm and again Tuesday morning from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Albert L. Gricoski Funeral Home, Frackville. Interment with military honors will be in St. Casimir’s Cemetery, Mahanoy Township.