By Julie Rossman
Correspondent
The community of Union Grove has been dealing with both shock and sadness following the untimely death of a local beloved physician, Dr. James Simonds, on April 16.
Simonds was a physician at the Wheaton Franciscan Medical Clinic, Union Grove, working alongside his wife, Dr. Lisa Simonds, since 1996, according to his obituary. Simonds died, suddenly, at his home on Browns Lake in Burlington, at the age of 54.
Paul Mason, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Wheaton Franciscan – All Saints, Racine, said Simonds was a member of the Wheaton family for 19 years.
“He was an absolute pillar of the Union Grove community and the Burlington community,” he said. “I can’t say enough – he’ll be so missed by everyone.”
Everybody knew Simonds as “Dr. Jim,” Mason said.
“What a fantastic physician – he took care of so many people in a way that you just don’t see anymore. We are all just devastated by his loss.”
Russ Skewes, Town of Yorkville, was a “second- generation” patient of Simonds, explaining his late father, Dr. Arthur Skewes, was also a patient.
“My dad really appreciated the approach Dr. Jim took to doctoring,” Skewes said.
Simonds cared for Skewes’ dad through two strokes and, even after he moved out of the area, Dr. Jim still checked in on his dad, Skewes said.
“He had a practical approach – he was courteous, and he’d look for practical solutions,” Skewes said. “I really liked Dr. Jim.”
Skewes likened Simonds to an “old school” doctor and said it was not unusual for him to make personal calls to patients, with their test results.
“He was a patient’s doctor, not a clinic’s doctor,” Skewes said.
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