John Martin Proos

John Martin Proos III, MD passed away peacefully in his sleep at home on Monday, May 26, 2014 at the age of 70 after several years of heart complications.   Visitation will be held at Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph, Michigan on Thursday, May 29, 2014 from 4:00 pm until 8:00 pm with a prayer service at 7:30 pm.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 211 Church Street, on Friday, May 30, 2014 at 12:15 pm with Monsignor Eugene Sears presiding.  Burial will follow at Resurrection Cemetery in St. Joseph with Military Rites provided by North Berrien Military Rites Team.  Memorials in his honor can be made to Twin City Area Catholic Schools Fund, 515 Ship Street, St. Joseph, MI 49085 or Birthright of St. Joseph, 2700 Niles Road, St. Joseph, MI 49085.  Friends and family are encouraged to share a condolence or memory of John at www.starks-menchinger.com.   John was the oldest of three children born to Margaret and John “Jackson” M. Proos II on March 21, 1944 in Ajo, Arizona.  He graduated from Cathedral High School Indianapolis in 1962, the University of Notre Dame in 1966 and Indiana University School of Medicine in 1970.  He completed his residency in family practice at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Indianapolis in 1973 and then proudly served in the Air Force in Homestead, Florida.  In July 1975, John began his family practice at Cedarwood Medical Center and then later started Family Physicians of St. Joseph in 1986.   On April 20, 1968, John married the love of his life Mary Helen Blackwell and they celebrated 46 wonderful years together.   They raised their three children John, Meg and Kate on the shores of Lake Michigan so he could enjoy his love of sailing.  John and Mary Helen enjoyed being together, whether it be golfing, traveling, relaxing in Panama City, sharing drinks with friends, or spending time with their grandchildren.   Over his 40 year career, John touched the lives of thousands as their physician and good friend.  John’s humble service to his community also included Lakeland Regional Health System Chief of Staff, Michigan State University adjunct professor of family medicine, Twin City Area Catholic School Fund President, Michigan Medical Society member, Birthright of St. Joseph board member, Lakeland Health Foundation board member, Samaritan Center Chairman of the Board, St. Joseph Catholic Church parishioner, Berrien Hills Country Club member, and most recently as a Harbor Shores Golf Club member and the Senior PGA’s Medical staff co-chairperson.   John will be dearly remembered as “Papa” or “Doc” as well as a dedicated husband, brother, father, Catholic, physician, sailor, golfer, veteran, fisherman, gardener, board member, life-saver, mentor, role model, loyal Irish fan and sincere friend.   John’s life was our special gift and he will be greatly missed by his entire family; wife Mary Helen, son John (Kristy) Proos of St. Joseph, MI, daughter Meg (Trent) Smith of Columbus, OH, daughter Kate Proos of St. Joseph, MI; grandchildren Stephen Jagla, Elena, Jack and Nora Proos, Abbigail, Caleb and Macgregor Smith; step-mother Suzy (Roy) Delmore of Houston, TX; sisters Patty (Dave) Argus of Cincinnati, OH, Julie (Jeff) Tomchik of Mashpee, MA and Colleen (Bill) Frey of Ft. Wayne, IN; brothers-in-law Mike (Sandy) Blackwell of Indianapolis, IN and Leo (Connie) Blackwell of Zionsville, IN; as well as many beloved nieces, nephews and friends.