James B. Corbett

James Brendan Corbett, formerly of Champaign IL, passed peacefully into the next life Sunday March 30 in Naples Florida. On the day before his death, he was joking laughing and “singing.” He was surrounded by family praying the Divine Chaplet at the time of his death, which had been a fond wish of his. Dr. Jim was born March 10, 1924 in Crusheen, Ireland. Called Brendan by his family, he was raised in Dublin. His father had a pub and grocery store which supported the cause of Irish independence. He was one of 8 children. None of his siblings survived him. He was very dedicated to hurling and golf and a fine athlete. He graduated from University College, Dublin, Ireland then moved to the United States to complete his pediatric training. When he was in Washington, DC, he met the lovely nurse, Ingeborg Ernst and made her his wife.

The Corbetts moved to Champaign-Urbana after he finished his training where they both took positions at Carle Hospital. After losing their first child to SIDS, they raised 5 children in Champaign. They relocated only for his service in the Army medical core in Alabama and Kentucky during the Korean Conflict then returned. Dr. Jim continued to work at Carle until his retirement at age 65. He was very active in the Catholic Church. He was involved at Holy Cross, The Neumann Center, and St. Matthews and at St. Thomas Moore School. Jim taught at the medical school when it was started at UI-UC.

Jim and Inge participated in medical missions in Columbia. They moved permanently to Florida after Jim was diagnosed with and treated for stomach cancer at Carle in 2004. Jim supported bringing Ave Maria University to the Naples, FL. He was involved with the Knights of Columbus, Meals on Wheels, the Pro-Life movement and rosary making for as long as he was able.

He is survived by his wife, Inge and all 5 children: Kevin, married to Joanna Zimmerman, Mountain View, CA, Kathleen (Kit), Naples, FL, Helen married to Steven Ebers currently of Hillsboro, OR and Michael Corbett, married to Sandi Corbett, of Schaumburg, IL, and Carmel Wellso, married to Charles Wellso, currently in Singapore; his 11 grandchildren: Jimmy and Russell Corbett-Detig, Kelly Rickard, Amy and Sharon Zimmerman, Brendan and Johanna Ebers, Peter and 2nd Lt Christian Corbett, Lucy and Naomi Wellso; and one great grandchild Liam Rickard.

The family will welcome friends Friday April 4th from 6:00-8:00 pm at Hodges Funeral Home 525 111th Avenue North Naples, FL 34108.

Funeral Mass will be held on Saturday April 5th 11:00 am at St William Catholic Church 601 Seagate Drive Naples, Florida.