ILLINOIS
Effingham Daily News

January 13, 2014

SIGEL — A number of area residents are showing support for a priest accused of committing “clerical sexual misconduct” with a minor more than 30 years ago.

It’s hard to drive down a road in Sigel and not see at least one yellow ribbon on a light pole or tree.

Valerie Probst, a member of St. Michael’s parish in Sigel, said she thinks about the Rev. Robert DeGrand often, particularly on Sundays.

“I sing the 10 a.m. Mass every week and I miss him coming up and speaking with us,” Mrs. Probst said. “It’s a vacant spot that shouldn’t be there.”