Oct.
18, 1915 - Aug. 15, 2009MISHAWAKA - Dorothy Probst, 93, died August 15, 2009. She was born in Louisville, Kentucky, in 1915 to Albert and Nell Bartley. She changed many lives and will be greatly missed. Dorothy married James Phillipoff in 1937. James died in 1967 leaving a son, Carl (Sue) Phillipoff, a son, Mark (Sigrid) Phillipoff, and a daughter, Victoria (Games) Slayter. Carl died in 1987. Dorothy had eight grandchildren, Beth (Mike) Elliston, Matthew (Nichol) Phillipoff, Shea Slayter, Nicole (Jason) Beeman-Cadwallader, Brenna Beeman, Kristina Slayter, Lyndsey and James Phillipoff. She had two great-grandsons, Ethan Beeman and Cooper James Elliston. She is also survived by her brother, John Eugene (Ann) Bartley. In 1970 Dorothy married John F. Probst and became the stepmother of his four children, Rita (Rob) Beck, Ginger (Ed) Jarvis, Joan (Todd) Kotas and John (Deb) Probst. Her stepchildren gave her four more grandchildren, Brittany, Marissa and Riley Beck, and Bryce Jarvis. After John died in 1980, Dorothy spent almost all of her days with Bob Smith, who became the grandfather to all of her grandchildren. In 1985 Dorothy bought a cottage on Diamond Lake where she enjoyed entertaining family and friends with Bob. Dorothy loved God, her family and Notre Dame. She had box seats on the 40-yard line and hosted many tailgate parties. Dorothy was a member of the Christ Child Society and the Circle at St. Anthony de Padua. She was a devout Catholic and attended St. Pius X in Granger and St. Ann in Cassopolis. Dorothy was a stay-at-home mother until Jim died, at which time she took over and ran the family business, Party Shoppes of South Bend, for over 20 years. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, August 19, in St. Pius X Catholic Church (Fir Road at St. Road 23) in Granger. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today, August 18, in the HICKEY Funeral Home, 17131 Cleveland Road, South Bend (both entrances are open with access from Cleveland Road), with a Rosary at 5 p.m. There will also be an hour of visitation before Mass on Wednesday in the church. Memorial contributions may be made to the Christ Child Society, to The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care or to the donor's favorite charity.