James W. Brothers

James Wendell Brothers, 82, of Ashland, went to his eternal home in Glory on Thursday, February 23, 2023, at his home and is now with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

He was born on February 4, 1941, in Ashland, Ohio to parents Herbert and Zadie (Norris) Brothers. Jim graduated from Ashland High School, Class of 1959. Jim proudly served with the US Army in The Big Red One from 1963-1965 at Fort Riley, Kansas. He married the love of his life, Joyce Drushell on June 21, 1970.

Jim was employed by Faultless Rubber and Abbott Laboratories for 42 years before retiring in 2001. After retiring, he worked part-time at Ashland Crystal Care Nursing Home from 2007-2014. Jim considered his workplace his mission field.

In his early years, Jim was a member of Ashland Grace Brethren Church and taught Sunday School at The Good Shepherd Nursing Home. Jim was a youth leader with Joyce shortly after they married. They loved singing in the Grace Choir together. He also helped with Grace Brethren Boys Club.

Jim faithfully served Ashland Christian Center as a lay minister, Worship Leader and Senior Pastor from 1988-2006. Jim loved to sing and worship his Lord Jesus. He and his family ministered through music to many people, including seniors at Crystal Care Nursing Home for 14 years. Jim also selflessly cared for his handicapped son Jayson in his home from 1984-1999 after a tragic bicycle accident left him fully disabled. No doubt, God held his family together! 

Jim loved his Amish friends, and he shared the love of Jesus with their community.

Jim had a passion for sports, mainly basketball, and he played at The Mansfield Reformatory to minister to inmates. He also enjoyed softball and played for years on church league teams. Jim’s family enjoyed camping and fishing trips together every summer. Fishing was his passion, but his greatest calling after receiving Jesus Christ as his Savior was following what Jesus told his disciples, “I will make you fishers of men.” Jim loved to serve others, and he always challenged his family to think of others first. After all, "Others" is in the Brothers' name.

In his later years, Jim attended Ashland Dickey Church of the Brethren. He enjoyed Sunday school class and singing in the choir.

Jim will be deeply missed by his beloved wife Joyce of 52 years; sons Jared (Gabby), Jake (Erin), and his beautiful daughter Joni; grandchildren Jason, Ellie, Caleb, Cadence, Arden, Ellis and Wesley; as well as many beloved in-laws, nieces and nephews.  

Jim was preceded in death by his parents; sons Jayson, Jeffrey, and daughter Jenna; brothers Herbert Eugene Jr. (Polly), William, and Ronald Dean; and sisters Wilma (Richard) Plank, Lillian (Tom) Kitchen, Doris (Art) Shoenberger, and Phyllis.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held in Jim’s memory on Saturday, March 25, 2023, at 2 p.m. at Ashland Dickey Church of the Brethren. Roberts Funeral Home- Ashland Chapel is helping with arrangements. Online tributes may be made at www.RobertsFuneralHome.com. Memorial contributions may be made to Ashland Dickey Church of the Brethren.