WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Paul L. Brothers, age 85, of Sturgis, passed away Tuesday morning, Feb. 22, 2011, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis.
He was born Jan. 9, 1926, in Lawrenceville, Ill., to Lester and Edith Brothers.
From 1944 to 1946, he held the rank of ETM2C in the U.S. Navy.
On Dec. 27, 1952, he married Barbara Johnson.
He was a graduate of the University of Illinois and the University of Illinois Medical School. His internship was served at Detroit Receiving Hospital.
Dr. Brothers moved to Sturgis in 1956 and practiced medicine at the Sturgis Medical Clinic from then until 1996 as a general and family physician. He was a member of the Sturgis Hospital medical staff, the St. Joseph County Medical Society, the Michigan State Medical Society (“MSMS”), and the American Medical Association. He established the first intensive care unit at Sturgis Hospital and was an adjunct professor for the University of Michigan Medical School.
He was the recipient of the MSMS Frederick and Besse Moulton Plesser Memorial Award for best exemplifying the practice and ethics of a rural country practitioner and for his service to patients, the community, and the medical profession. He also received the MSMS Continuing Service Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the community.
Dr. Brothers was devoted to his family and to providing good care to his patients. His other interests included golf, photography and viniculture.
He was a board member of Citizens Bank and member of the Sturgis Rotary Club, First United Methodist Church and Klinger Lake Country Club.
He is survived by his loving wife of 58 years, Barbara; one daughter, Sophia Peterman, M.D., of Atlanta; two sons, Thomas (Maggie) Brothers, M.D., of Charleston, S.C., and Robert (Laura) Brothers of Sturgis; nine grandchildren, Jim Peterman, Kate Peterman, Diana Peterman, Brittany Brothers, Kelly Brothers, Bella Brothers, Justin Brothers, Ben (Anna) Brothers and Elle Brothers; a great-grandson, Gabe Brothers; a sister, Marietta Hostak of Houston; and four nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Thomas Brothers.
In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place. A memorial service will be held this summer on a date to be announced later.
Hackman Family Funeral Homes – Hackman Chapel, Sturgis, is entrusted with the arrangements.
The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Dr. Brothers’ memory to consider the Sturgis Area Community Foundation, 310 N. Franks Avenue, Sturgis, MI 49091.
His obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhome.com, where personal messages of support may be left for the family.
