Court appoints co‑conservators for two adult siblings with serious medical needs

A Dixon County judge granted a petition to appoint conservators for Thomas Michael Bowers, 53, and his brother Randall Nathan Bowers, 55, after their mother, Alma Bowers, testified about both men's medical needs and living arrangements.

Alma Bowers told the court that Randall ‘‘needs 24‑hour care’’ after a head injury at 17, is nonverbal, wheelchair‑bound and tube‑fed; she said Thomas has ‘‘uncontrolled seizures’’ despite medications and a vagal nerve stimulator. The court noted both men receive Social Security benefits and live in a licensed special‑needs home. ‘‘I will waive any sort of requirements for a property‑management plan,’’ the judge said, adding a bond requirement would also be waived. The judge signed and delivered the orders granting the conservatorships.

Alma Bowers testified she would serve as a co‑conservator and supported appointing relatives Frances Robertson and Horace Carlton as co‑conservators. ‘‘Yes, I do,’’ she said when asked whether the appointment would be in her sons’ best interests. The court accepted the testimony and signed orders reflecting the appointments and waivers.

The court’s written order (filed at the clerk’s office) formalizes the conservatorship and directs that Social Security benefits and any other funds be managed for the benefit of the conservatees. No bond or property‑management plan was required because the judge found the siblings’ assets were limited to benefit payments used for supervised living arrangements. The order also requires that physicians’ reports be filed with the court to support ongoing oversight of medical care.