Dr. Jerome Brodish

Dr. Jerome Henry Brodish, formerly of Centralia, Illinois, passed away peacefully on January 2, 2026, in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, at the age of 92. He was born on July 20, 1933, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to Henry and Mary (Moran) Brodish. Jerome was raised with strong values that guided a life of service, faith, and dedication to family.

On October 3, 1959, he married the love of his life, Carol Anne Thornton, in Saugerties, New York. Together they shared a devoted marriage and raised six children, building a life centered on love, faith, education and adventure. Jerome is survived by his children: Jerome Brodish, Jr. of Minneapolis, Minnesota; Kathryn (Leo) Krenn of Lake Arrowhead, California; Dr. Robert (Kim) Brodish of Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin; Carolyn Webb of Jacksonville, Florida; Suzanne (Darrell) Wurzbach of McKinney, Texas; and his beloved grandchildren Daniel, John, Mallory, Eric, Jack, Bobby, Geff, Gavin, Cal, and Bruno and great-grandchildren Mishelle, Danny, Emilio, and Jack. He is also survived by his sister Mary (Brodish) Dodd of New Lexington, Ohio; sisters and brother-in-laws Linda (Thornton) and Thomas Gentalen of Catskill, New York, and Jade Thornton of Saugerties, New York.

Jerome was preceded in death by his wife Carol Anne and her parents George and Clara Thronton; parents Henry and Mary Brodish; daughter Claire Brodish; sister Constance Brodish; son-in-law Jeff Webb; brother-in-laws Robert Dodd and Thomas Thornton.

Jerome pursued higher education with determination, earning a Bachelor of Arts from La Salle University in Philadelphia, followed by a Doctorate of Medicine from The Ohio State University. He completed his surgical internship at Saint Vincent's Hospital in New York City and his surgical residency at County Hospital and the Veterans' Administration Medical Center in Milwaukee. He served his country through ROTC and as a Captain with the United States Army from 1963 to 1965. Dr. Brodish dedicated his professional life to caring for others as a general surgeon, practicing in Fort Lee, Virginia; Siler City, North Carolina; Champaign, McLeansboro, and Centralia, Illinois; and Rancho Peñasquitos, California. He was a member of the American Board of Surgery and a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Before his retirement, Jerome moved to California. He enjoyed his homes in La Jolla, "Grandpa's Place" in Lake Arrowhead, Rancho Mirage, and Palm Desert. He made many friends and memories there. A devout Catholic, Jerome was a Fourth Degree Knight of the Knights of Columbus and a Knight Grand Cross of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, the highest levels one can attain in both. His faith guided both his personal and professional life. He provided his children with a strong Catholic education and the opportunity to earn college degrees. In retirement, Jerome embraced traveling, learning and creativity. He visited all 50 states and multiple countries around the world. He learned to play the piano, painted artwork for family and friends, and took up sailing. He shared his love of the arts as a volunteer docent at the San Diego Art Museum. He enjoyed opera and dancing. He volunteered proctoring anatomy at the UC San Diego School of Medicine, with Meals on Wheels and visits to veterans. Jerome created countless memories with his family, from traveling in a renovated school bus to treasured vacations to Holden Beach, North Carolina. He loved sports and was an avid fan of The Ohio State Buckeyes, St. Louis Cardinals, and Green Bay Packers. He will be remembered as a hard worker with a wonderful sense of humor. Jerome's legacy lives on through his beloved family and the many lives he healed.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate staff of the Blu Grotto Memory Care at Capri Communities in Menomonee Falls and Brighton Hospice for their exceptional care and kindness.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at St. Mary Church in Centralia at 10:00 am with Father Steven Pautler officiating. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Centralia with military rites. A visitation will be held for family and friends on Saturday, January 17, 2026, from 9:00 am until the time of services at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the donor's favorite charity and will be accepted at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home located at 235 North Sycamore Street Centralia, Illinois, 62801 (618) 532-3523, who is honored to be of service to Jerome's family. Online condolences may be made to the family by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com or the Funeral Home's Facebook page.