James Joseph Maurer

James Joseph Maurer, M.D., 85 of Battle Creek died peacefully at home Saturday, May 13, 2017, after a long illness.

He was born October 27, 1931, in Covington, Kentucky to Joseph L. and Margaret A. (Dolin) Maurer. Raised in Cincinnati, Ohio where he graduated from St. Xavier High School in 1949 and Xavier University in 1953. After graduating from the University Of Cincinnati College Of Medicine, he interned at Good Samaritan Hospital. His General and Neurosurgical training took place at the University of Cincinnati Hospitals. As a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy Medical Corps, he was stationed at the neurosurgical service of the St. Albans Naval Hospital, Long Island, NY

On October 12, 1957, he married Nancy Lee Blume, in Cincinnati, Ohio. They have two children who survive, Margaret A. "Meg" Maurer of Clinton Township and James J. Maurer of Urbana, IL.

In 1964, Jim joined Dr. Jack Griffith in the practice of neurosurgery in the Battle Creek area, until retiring in 1986.

He was a member of the Calhoun County and Michigan State Medical Society, the A.M.A. and the Congress of Neurosurgeons. After retiring, he devoted much of his time to volunteering. Much of this involved the building and development of the Marian E. Burch Adult Day Care Center from 1989 up until his death. He was chief of staff of Leila Hospital and president of the Calhoun County Medical Society. He also served on and was Chairman of the Board of Calhoun County Independence Agency and the Marian E. Burch Adult Day Care Advisory Board. He served on the boards of the Battle Creek Family Health Center and the Calhoun County Health Department. He received the Michigan State Medical Society Community Service Award for outstanding contributions to the community. He also received the Battle Creek Enquirer George Award.

Friends will be received by Jim's family 5:00-7:30 p.m. Wednesday at Farley Estes Dowdle Funeral Home & Cremation Care, where the Rosary will be recited at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Rev. Simon Chummar-Manjooran at St. Philip Catholic Church 11:00 a.m. Thursday, May 18, 2017. Committal, military honors and interment will be held for the family at Ft. Custer National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Marian E. Birch Adult Day Care & Rehabilitation Center, 1150 E. Michigan Ave., Battle Creek, MI 49014; or St. Philip Catholic Church. Personal messages for the family may be placed here at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.