Donald Paarlberg, M.D., a respected orthopedic surgeon and medical examiner passed away at the age of 85 on September 18,2022 at ProMedica Coldwater Regional Hospital in Coldwater, Michigan.
He is remembered for his dedication to the Coldwater community through his orthopedic surgery practice and his work as a medical examiner.
Paarlberg was born on March 21, 1937, in Harvey, Illinois, to Cornelius W. and Herminia Shilling Paarlberg. He graduated from Hope College and then earned his medical degree at Northwestern Medical School. To further his training, he did an orthopedic surgery residency at the Mayo Clinic Minnesota.
During the Vietnam War, Paarlberg was drafted into the U.S. Army, the 82nd Airborne, as medical doctor and served from 1964-1966. Afterwards, he set up a private practice in Greenfield, Massachusetts, and then relocated to Coldwater. He ran his Coldwater practice from 1978 to 2000, and also served many years as the Branch County Medical Examiner.
Paarlberg married Suzanna (Sue) Edwards on July 9, 1960, in Herkimer, New York, and together they raised three sons. He was an active member of the Coldwater First Presbyterian Church where he served as an elder and helped run the Free Health Clinic. He also belonged to the Noon Rotary Club and the American Legion.
He is survived by his wife Sue; his children, Laurence Paarlberg of Holland, William Paarlberg of Holland, and Jeffrey Paarlberg of Coldwater and their wives. He also leaves behind his brother William Paarlberg of Sleepy Hollow, Illinois, his sister-in-law Ginny Paarlberg of Lee, Florida; and his grandchildren Spencer Paarlberg of Seattle, Washington, Nicholas Paarlberg of Holland, Bethany Paarlberg of Barcelona, Spain, Brent Paarlberg of Newport Beach, California, Laynee Paarlberg of Coldwater and Avery Paarlberg also of Coldwater.
He was preceded in death by his brother Charles Paarlberg.
