Exhibit 23.1

               CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS



         We have issued our report dated August 23, 2000, accompanying the
financial statements of Peoples Federal Savings Bank as contained in
Registration Statement SB-2 and Form AC of PFS Bancorp, Inc. to be filed with
the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Office of Thrift Supervision on
or about June 22, 2001. We consent to the use of the aforementioned reports in
the Registration Statements and Prospectus and to the use of our name as it
appears under the caption "Experts."

/s/ Grant Thornton LLP

Cincinnati, Ohio
June 21, 2001