June Carol Middleton

1933 - 2015

June Carol Middleton

BUCYRUS: June Carol Middleton, 81, of Byers Road, Perrysville, Ohio, went home to be with her Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, on Wednesday, April 29, 2015, at 12:19 a.m.

June was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on November 24, 1933, to Edward and Margaret Ware. She married Victor Paul Middleton on February 18, 1950, and God blessed them with 14 children, 65 grandchildren, and 22 great-grandchildren. Victor and June were married for 55 years. June was born-again on October 18, 1954, when she accepted Jesus Christ as her Saviour. This one decision led her down a path to influence countless others to come to Christ during her lifetime.

June was a helpmeet to her husband and a godly mother. After her husband retired from Ashland Oil Pipeline Company, they went to Hyles-Anderson College in Crown Point, Indiana, where they both received a general Bible studies degree in May 2000.

She has been a member of Whetstone Baptist Church in Bucyrus, Ohio, for the past 15 years. Over the years, she has served in various capacities in the five different churches which she attended. Among other things, these areas have included Sunday School teacher for all ages, Junior Church worker, nursery director, Vacation Bible School teacher, children's choir director, pianist, church news writer for the newspaper, Christmas program director, banquet speaker, and soul winner. For several consecutive years, she was a speaker at an annual ladies' meeting hosted by Lighthouse Baptist Church, Columbia, Tennessee. Out of a desire to see young people prepare to serve the Lord, she founded Bethany Missionary Ministries and was a strong supporter of worldwide missions as well.

June's life was characterized by love—love for the Lord, love for her husband, love for her children, and love for others. Her prayer life was legendary, and many have been blessed because of it. She was a writer and has written several poems, songs, articles, and other works. She loved gardening, listening to preaching and music, and reading books—but most of all, she loved the Book of all books—the Bible.

June is survived by her 14 children—five sons and nine daughters: Ronald J. (Kimberly) Middleton of Perrysville, Ohio, Victoria A. (Richard) Jordan of Walton, Kentucky, Paul G. (Anita) Middleton of Polk, Ohio, Delia S. (Kevin) Johnson of Fredricktown, Ohio, Mary E. (Larry) Oxendine of Marion, Ohio, Carol J. (Kelly) Howard of Goodland, Indiana, Sharon E. (James) Barr of Goshen, Ohio, Laura J. (David) Baker of Columbia, Tennessee, Daniel L. (Tina) Middleton of Indianapolis, Indiana, John N. (Jayne) Middleton of Newtonsville, Ohio, Lydia J. (Edgar) Sibert of Dwight, Illinois, Sam (Kathy) Middleton of Kannapolis, North Carolina, Joanna C. (Scott) Reichle of Dublin, Ohio, and Rebekah G. (Thomas) Jeffrey of Natrona Heights, Pennsylvania. Other survivors include three sisters: Helen Balster of Edwardsville, Illinois, Sally Kapp of Centralia, Illinois, Kay Jansen of Branson, Missouri; as well as several nieces and nephews.

June was preceded in death by her husband, Victor Paul Middleton; her father and mother, Edward and Margaret Ware; two sisters, Margaret Goodall and Bonnie Schmerbauch; and brother, Buddy Ware.

The family will receive friends from 4-8 p.m. on Monday, May 4 at Wise Funeral Service, 129 W. Warren St., Bucyrus. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, May 5 at Whetstone Baptist Church, 994 Poe Road, Bucyrus, with Pastor Larry Oxendine officiating. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Union Cemetery in Perrysville. Memorial contributions may be made to Whetstone Baptist Church Missions Program through the funeral home. Condolences may be left at www.wisefuneral.com