WILLARD MIDDLETON

Willard W. Middleton, 83, of Cape Girardeau died Friday, March 30, 2001, at St. Francis Medical Center.

He was born Feb. 9, 1918, at Centerville, Mo., son of Otto Joseph and Elsie Mae Brooks Middleton. He and Geraldine Jones Minton were married May 12, 1944, at Jackson, Mo.

Willard worked for Missouri Utilities (AmerenUE) for 29 years. He was active with Grace Methodist Boy Scout Troop No. 2 and served as the treasurer. He was a baseball umpire for several youth leagues and the Capaha's. Willard was inducted into the Southeast Missouri Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame in 1999. He was a member of Grace United Methodist Church in Cape Girardeau and the Union Electric Better Service Club.

Survivors include his wife; three sons, Mike Middleton of Lake Dallas, Texas, Keith Middleton of Cape Girardeau, and Dennis Middleton of Cape Girardeau; a brother, Joseph Charles Middleton of Centerville, Mo.; four sisters, Marie Bueltemann of Cape Girardeau, Lorene Wood of Fredericktown, Mo., Mildred Dowell of Troy, Mo., and Imogene Harter of Columbia, Ill.; and grandchildren Chad, Brett and Kendra Middleton.

He was preceded in death by three brothers, Oscar Middleton, Roger Middleton and Cecil Middleton.

Friends may call at Ford & Sons Mt. Auburn Funeral Home from 4-7 p.m. today.

Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. The Rev. Jerry Statler will officiate, with burial in Lorimier Cemetery.

Memorials may be given to the American Diabetes Association.