Joseph Prost

Joseph William Prost passed away quietly this last Sunday evening after his beloved Cubs won their game. He had lived a wonderful life of 98 years and 107 days.
Joe was born on March 21, 1917 to Mathias and Mary (Krug) Prost. He was one of 4 siblings, Marie (Dittberner), Henry (Jude) and Marcella (Spetz) all preceded him.
“Joey” is survived by his loving nephew Paul Dittberner (wife Kitty), niece Patricia Spetz, and nephew Jerry Spetz (wife Sherry), grandniece Julia and step-nephew Steven and step-niece Katie and sister-in-law BVM Jane Haslwanter. His beloved wife Marie (Haslwanter) passed away in 2002, they were married 45 yrs. They had no children, but his loved his nieces and nephews as if they were his own. He also leaves behind his beloved Ardmore Ave neighbors who loved and cared for him for 60 years until he moved to Clare Oaks to be closer to Paul & Kitty. They are so grateful to these wonderful neighbors for all they did for Joey, enabling him to stay in his home until age 94. Mary, Mark, John, Lulu, Debbi, Peter, Rocky, Ray, Herb and Barb, Joey’s family can’t thank you enough.
Joey’s mother died when he was only 8. His beloved older sister, Marie, a kind and gentle woman raised him and his 2 other siblings. Because of her, he learned kindness and became the true gentleman that he was and who always had a smile on his face. Ten year old Joey & 12 year old Henry would often hitch hike rides on the back of CTA busses to Wrigley field to watch the Cubs play. They saw 100’s of games and often caught foul balls. He loved his Cubbies and described himself as a true “long suffering” cub fan - for at least 90 years!
In July 1941, he joined the army, rose to the rank of Sergeant and becoming a proud member of the 80th Blue Ridge combat division of General George S. Patton’s 3rd Army. The 80th division landed in Normandy, marched through France, onto the Battle of the Bulge and continued east to “mow down” and drive back the German Army. They fought for 239 days and captured 239 POW’s. During the campaign, Joey and a fellow soldier were seriously wounded when an ammunition dump was ignited by enemy fire, sending metal fragments into their bodies. Though injured himself, Joey pulled the soldier to safety. The rosary beads he wore around his neck had an oversize cross on it which deflected a large fragment, saving his life. Patton presented Joey the “Solder’s Medal for his brave conduct while recovering in a N. Africa M.A.S.H unit. Sargent Prost went on to receive 11 medals, a purple heart and 4 bronze stars! Truly part of our “Greatest Generation” he recovered from his injuries and went back to the 80th Division to help Patton’s Army drive back, defeat the German army march proudly into Berlin to help the Allies declare victory. In 2010 at age 93, he was able to fly to Washington D.C with Honor Flight Chicago to see the WW2 memorial. Accompanied by his nephew’s wife Kitty as guardian, he had a “wonderful” & “amazing” trip, feeling like a truly honored WW2 veteran that he was. He continued to talk about his trip up until he felt ill 3 weeks ago.
After the war, he returned to his home in Chicago and the 3-4 ladies he had been writing to through the 4 yrs. of the war! Oh boy! Fate stepped in and saw a gorgeous, brown eyed, brown haired lady walking her “yippy” puppy and he and Marie were married a year later in 1947. They shared 60 wonderful years together. Marie told him about a Florist School because of his interest in flowers. His G.I. bill helped to pay for it and the rest is history – 40 plus years as a wonderful florist and savvy businessman. His store is still on Irving Park Rd bearing the name Prost Florist. Joey was a long time member of St. Cornelius Parish in Chicago, an usher, Knight and Holy name member. During their time together, Joe and Marie traveled the world on vacations seeing many countries. Joey loved meeting all the different people. Sadly, Marie passed away in 2002. Joey learned to cook, clean and do laundry to stay in house. He would often say “I never knew how hard housewives really worked.
In 2013, Joey moved to Clare Oaks in Bartlett, IL to be closer to Kitty & Paul and they were blessed to have him 15 min away. Kitty & Paul would like to thank the entire staff of 2N for their kindness and caring of Joe in these last few weeks, going above and beyond. He loved all of his caregivers at Clare Oaks: the CNA’s, LPN’s, RN’s, housekeepers, PT’s and dining staff. He knew how much you cared for him – our thanks to you.
Joey was so proud that his older brother Henry was ordained a Franciscan priest and became a missionary in Brazil. Fr. Jude Prost stayed there, preaching along the Amazon River for 50 years, building parishes, a hospital and a seminary. For his actions, he was made Bishop of Belem for his last 8 years.
Visitation Thursday, July 9th 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. at Sacred Heart Chapel at Clare Oaks, 801 Carillon Dr, Bartlett. Funeral Mass Friday, 10:30 a.m. Interment St. Joseph. Arrangements by Countryside Funeral Home & Crematory, Bartlett. 630-289-7575 or www.countrysidefuneralhomes.com
Please consider donating in Joey’s name to:

The Franciscan Missionary Union
3140 Meramec St
St. Louis, MO 63188

Honor Flight Chicago
938 W. Montana St
Chicago, IL 60614

Salvation Army