Ernest Middleton Jr.

Ernest Middleton Jr., 70 of Halbur, died Sunday, April 14, 2024 at St. Anthony Regional Hospital in Carroll.
Private services will be held.
Funeral arrangements are under the guidance of the Sharp Funeral Home in Carroll and online condolences may be left for Ernest's family at www.sharpfuneral.com.
Ernest James Middleton II, 70, passed away on April 14,2024 after a short battle with cancer. Ernest was born May 21, 1953, in Waterloo, IA to Ernest James Middleton of Waterloo, IA and Millicent May Hendrickson of Cardiff Wales. Ernest attended Waterloo East High School and graduated in 1971. While at East High School he participated in wrestling and football. He received a wrestling scholarship at Winona State where he earned NAIA All-American Honors three times, finishing 4th, 3rd and 2nd place. Ernest earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Life Science from Winona State University in Winona, MN. There he was later inducted into the National Hall of Fame in 2018. Ernest pursued a career in education (teaching and coaching) and impacted the lives of thousands of students in Minnesota, Iowa and Texas. Teaching was his passion. Outside of the classroom he was passionate about anything associated with the outdoors. He enjoyed and took pride in his garden, fishing, riding bike, grilling and watching movies with Denise.
Ernest married Carol Baer, and from that union four sons were born: Ernest James (Carrie), Damion Ray (Chuntel), Keane Niles, and Brandon Anthony (Denise). The couple later divorced. Ernest also has a daughter Siri, and a son Corey.
In 2000, Ernest married Denise Riesselman with whom he enjoyed his last thirty-one years. They made their home in Halbur, IA. He enjoyed helping his father and mother-in-law with their outdoor work. He loved visiting with the neighbors while grilling for everyone.
Ernest is survived by his wife Denise, his children, many grandchildren and great grandchildren, his siblings Valerie Allen, Joseph Middleton, and Kelly Shineflew, half-sisters: Leona Middleton and Maggie Middleton Isaac, nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and a plethora of friends. He is also survived by his in-laws Dean (Doris) Riesselman, DeAnn Eischeid, Deb Neubauer, Dan (Jeannie) Riesselman.
He is preceded in death by his father and mother, his brothers Melville Peter, Keith Spite, and Shawn Richards and one sister Millicent Williams Shabazz. Leonard and Donna Riesselman (mother and father-in-law) and Randy Eischeid (brother-in-law).