Dennis Leslie Probst

Dennis Leslie Probst was born to Leslie and Lorraine Probst in Meadville, PA on January 21, 1947. He grew up in Meadville, attending local schools, graduating from Meadville Area Senior High School in 1964. When he was three years old, his parents became Christians, and from then on, the whole family was deeply involved in the church life and ministries of the Barton Road United Brethren Church. Dennis' life came to a crossroads the summer after he graduated from high school. At youth camp that summer, God powerfully worked in his heart, convicting him of sin and bringing him to a clear conversion experience under the ministry of Dr. Thomas Hermiz, who later became the president of World Gospel Mission, the organization with which Dennis would later serve.

Dennis had a partial scholarship to attend the University of Pittsburgh where he planned to study to be a pharmacist, hoping to attain his dream of becoming wealthy. That night while he prayed at the altar, God clearly spoke to him that he should not pursue that dream but that he should attend Kentucky Mountain Bible College in Vancleve, KY. While there, God brought him into the experience of heart holiness and placed upon his heart a call to the ministry and later to share the gospel message with the Japanese people. Also while at KMBC, he met Priscilla, the girl who would later become his wife. Dennis graduated from Trevecca Nazarene University in 1969 and later that summer, he and Priscilla were married.

He served as pastor of the Wesleyan Church in Glasgow, KY for three years before pursuing graduate studies at Morehead State University in Morehead, KY. They were appointed as missionaries with World Gospel Mission in 1973, arriving in Japan in the fall of 1974. He served in various capacities with WGM during his 39 years of ministry in Japan, but his greatest joy was in sharing the message of Christ's love in churches throughout Japan, in English Bible classes on university campuses, and in helping to train future pastors by teaching at the Immanuel Bible Training College.

They retired from missionary service in July 2012. Dennis was a loving husband, father, and grandfather and delighted in spending time helping his family with various projects, vacationing together, and fervently praying for them. One of his favorite pastimes was watching UK basketball games.

After a brief illness with pancreatic cancer, Dennis was carried in the arms of his beloved Savior to his heavenly home at 6:15 Saturday morning, March 19, 2016. He left his family with a wonderful legacy and example of a life fully yielded to God.

He is survived by Priscilla, his wife of 46 years; four children, Rebecca (John) Jaggers of Louisville, KY; Deborah (Ryan) Folsom of Lexington, KY; Mark (Melissa) Probst of Marietta, GA; Susanna (Kris) Gorton of Lexington, KY; six grandchildren, Maxwell and Addison Jaggers, Elizabeth and Caleb Folsom, Jonah and Annabelle Probst, and a seventh (Baby Gorton) on the way. Two brothers also survive him, Randall Probst of Edgewood, KY and Kevin (Shannon) Probst of LaGrange, GA. He is also survived by seven nieces and nephews, ten great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Leslie and Lorraine Probst.

Funeral service will be conducted at 10AM Wednesday, March 23, 2016 at Wilmore Free Methodist Church with Pastor Dean Cook, Pastor Daryl Diddle and Pastor Dwight Winter. Burial will follow in the Wilmore Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 6-8 PM Tuesday at Betts & West Funeral Home and from 9AM until the funeral service hour of 10AM at the church.

Memorial contributions can be made to: World Gospel Mission Japan Ministry, P.O. Box 948, Marion, IN 49652, or Wilmore Free Methodist Church Building Fund, 1200 Lexington Rd., Wilmore, KY 40390

Visitation:
6-8 PM Tuesday at the funeral home

Funeral:
10 AM Wedesday Wilmore Free Methodist Church

Interment:
Wilmore Cemetery