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Willie Middlebrook Obituary
INDIANAPOLIS - Willie Frank Middlebrook, 65, a beloved son, father and brother, departed this life on Sunday, January 17, 2010, in Indianapolis, IN. Born in Okolona, MS, on July 1, 1944, Willie was the firstborn son to the union of Frank Middlebrook Jr. and Mary Lena Osborne Middlebrook, who preceded him in death on October 28, 1977. Willie was a graduate of Washington High School. While in high school he was a 3-sport athlete in football, basketball and track. Willie excelled in football where he played both offense and defense, and was a member of three championship varsity football teams, the all-conference team two years in a row and the all-state team his senior year. Willie also excelled academically, graduating in the top 5% of his graduating class. Following his graduation Willie was accepted to Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, where he studied Education and received both his Bachelor's and Master's degrees. Willie also served in the military and was a veteran of the U.S. Army. Willie went on professionally to experience success in the areas of education where he developed or served in programs dealing with alternative education and mentoring of youth, community activism, and as the host of the popular radio talk show program "The Bottom Line." Willie leaves to cherish his memory his parents, Frank Middlebrook Jr. (Odesta) of South Bend, IN; his son, Dane Lamar (Victoria Allen) Middlebrook; his beloved grandchildren, Deija Renae (Boo) and Dane Jr. (D.J), all of Indianapolis, IN; his sisters, Mrs. Maryann Mukete, Cameroon, West Africa, Mrs. JoAnn Walker, Ms. Linda Hanan, Mrs. Joy Lewis, all of Fort Wayne, IN; his brothers, Mr. Jesse Middlebrook, Norfolk, VA, and Mr. Lloyd Middlebrook, South Bend, IN, and all of their respective families. He also leaves his aunts, uncles and a host of cousins, including his cousin buddies, Kenneth Osborne, Daryl Osborne, Fred M. Osborne and William Neely, all of South Bend, IN. A host of friends including his best friends, Mrs. Karon Izzard of Wichita, KS, Mr. Ed Dorhan of Dallas, TX, and his goddaughter, Ms. Sandte Stanley of Atlanta, GA. Services for Mr. Willie Frank Middlebrook will be held on Saturday, January 23, 2010, at the Pentecostal Cathedral COGIC, 1025 W. Western Ave., South Bend, IN. Visitation at noon and funeral services at 1:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Highland Cemetery, South Bend, IN. Afford's Mortuary has been entrusted with handling the arrangements. Messages of bereavement may be e-mailed to [email protected], c/o the Middlebrook family.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Willie Middlebrook
J. Jones
July 8, 2025
Sending thoughts of thanks for Mr WFM. He allowed me and my brother to be on the TLC show called Teen Talk with Mr Paul. I enjoyed the experience an Mr WFM was a man of great wisdom love and care. He will always be part of my life's inspiration. Thank you family!
Barbara Kydd
February 19, 2010
To the Middlebrook Family,
Wishing you our sincerest condolences during the loss of your love one. May God bless and keep you during this time.
With Sympathy and Blessings,
David Barbara , Meghan and Sean Kydd (Punky Walker from the Lake)
Roosevelt milton
February 5, 2010
Roosevelt Milton,
I met Willie MiddleBrook on freedom rode. He came and volunteered to work with NABSW, we established the Tolliver Center. He lived for a while with my wife and I. Together we established the talk of the town radio show on KTOK. Willie was a warrior, he was my brother in the struggle for justice. I have kept in contact with him, and made it a point to visit him on each occasion that we traveled through Indianaapolis, Indiana. Pat and I will miss him tremendously, We love and him had we known we would have been there for his services.
Love,
Roosevelt and Patricia Milton and Family
405-427-1975
405-246-5702
Alice Miller & Family
January 29, 2010
It was sad to learn of the passing of Mr. Middlebrook; he was a great inspiration and mentor to so many of us. He will be missed. Our prayers are with you during this time. May God continue to bless and keep you all.
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Ben & Margaret (Miller) Miles Jr.
January 28, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Mary & Sherby Moore
January 27, 2010
Our well wishes goes out to the Middlebrook family. The Moores and the Middlebrooks has always been family and he will be missed.
Earlyne (Ernest) Miles Key
January 27, 2010
May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
Wayne & Janice (Miles) Batteast II
January 27, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
George & Ruth Miles Sr.
January 27, 2010
Please accept my deepest sympathies.
Cheryl (Sherry) Phillips
January 27, 2010
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Apostle Ralph Miles Sr.
January 27, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Michael & Phyllis (Miles) Phillips Sr.
January 27, 2010
To The Family of Willie Frank Middlebrook... our Lake neighborhood, and Greater Friendship Church Family.
We are so sorry to hear of the loss of your loved one. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers. It was certainly a pleasure to meet back up with Willie Frank at the Washington High School girls’ basketball games, in INDY. His kind and generous spirit was one to be admired. May the wonderful memories of him help sustain your loss of him as time passes.
"I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free." Psalm 119:32 NIV
JUDY ESTERS WELCH-SMITH
January 25, 2010
TO THE MIDDLEBROOK FAMILY I WAS SADDENED TO HEAR OR THE LOSS OF MY DEAR CLASS MATE ,FRIEND AND PROBABLY ONE OF THE FIRST BOYS I HAD A CRUSH ON IN GRADE SCHOOL HARRISON. HE WAS A CHARM THEN AND IAM SURE HE WAS A OUTSTANDING PERSON ALL THROUGH LIFE. I WAS IN HIS GRADUATING CLASS. THEN LOSS TRACK OF OLD FRIENDS. BUT HE WILL BE MISSED AND REMEMBERED BY ALL.
THE MCFADDEN FAMILY
January 25, 2010
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Ursula Phoenix
January 25, 2010
Wow, what a fun spirit. I had the honor of meeting "The Willie F. Middlebrook" back in 2001. My sister in law is his sister, Joy. I was in Indianapolis on business visiting a client site. Willie met me at the airport and we hung out like brother and sister. We went to dinner and talked about life. He really knew about life and how to connect with people. What I liked about him the most was how easy going he was. He loved music way more than the average person and that was our big connection. He also loved his family and community. We will miss you so much. Love, Ursula Phoenix
January 24, 2010
So sorry for your loss. Willie was a great guy and will be missed. God bless you all. Dean Howard Tucson Arizona
January 24, 2010
Our deepest sympathy goes out to the Middlebrook family. May God continue to bless each of you.
Emma Harvell-Hudgins, Atlanta, Ga
Larry Harvell, South Bend, IN
Dee Edson
January 24, 2010
LLoyd, I am so very sorry for your families loss! May God bless you all- you are in my prayers..
Freddie Fresh
January 24, 2010
My condolences to the Middlebrook family. He will be truly missed.I'm glad I had a change to work with him. He always Told It Like It Is!!!! RIP Bruh
"The World Famous Freddie Fresh"
formally of the WTLC Basement Party
JoAnn (Janczak) Moore
January 23, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with the Middlebrook family.
I was a classmate of Willie's at WHS.
Lloyd and Maggie Kerr
January 23, 2010
May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Yvonne Wherry
January 22, 2010
My heartfelt thoughts and prayers to out to the entire Middlebrook family. May your wonderful memories of Willie comfort you always.
Snowy & Denise Boyd
January 22, 2010
May your heart and soul find peace and comfort during this difficult time.
Cynthia Johnson-Smitherman
January 22, 2010
Some people you meet along the long road of life with little consequence. Other's you meet who you never forget. Willie Frank Middlebrook was one who you will never forget. As we from the Lake reminiscence our past, his name will always be mentioned and remembered for that smile, that confidence, and his gift for gab.
He will be remembered - for the indelible impression he left on all who knew him.
May GOD Bless his family and may his memory be sweet in their lives.
Cynthia Johnson-Smitherman
January 22, 2010
Willie Frank Middlebrook! I have heard of many people with this name, but none, NONE can be the person he was. What a smile, what confidence - unmatched! GOD Bless his family, and may his memory always be cherished.
Joe, Teddy & Kay Northern
January 22, 2010
May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a life well lived. We grew up on the Lake with Willie and remember him fondly.
Teri Smith
January 22, 2010
I grew up knowing Willie Frank. He was always very kind.I am saddened to hear of his passing. He will be missed.
Teri Ann Smith
January 22, 2010
May it comfort you to know that others care & share in the loss of a loved one. Willie was always determined to
excel in his endeavors. He had a fun-loving personality. Lovell Walker Brown, Houston, TX
Clotilda Jackson
January 22, 2010
Extending deep and heartfelt sympathy to the Middlebrook family. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
January 22, 2010
May God Bless the Middlebrook family.
To us he will always be remembered
as Willie Frank Middlebrook from the Lake.
Pat and Recie Bethel, Los Angeles, Ca.
Reverend Melvin J. Jackson
January 22, 2010
Westside Community Ministries, Inc., its Chairman Roosevelt James Sanders, Board members, membership churches, staff and neighbors from the west side of Indianapolis, join you in this celebration of life for Willie Frank Middlebrook.
We pray the Lord will keep you and that you feel the comfort of our Heavenly Father as He holds you tightly in His arms, wipes away each tear, and carries you through this dark time. We further pray each of you will stay strong and live righteously until that time when you answer the call to come home to be with the Lord.
In the name of the One who died for us, God bless you.
Karen Futrell-Jones
January 22, 2010
To the Middlebrook family, very sorry for your lost.I lived on the Lake before moving to Houston.He will be missed.I ask that God give you comfort,strength and courage that you are going to need.He had a great journey.
Senator Jean D. Breaux
January 22, 2010
I was sorry to learn about Willie Frank’s transition. Please know my heartfelt thoughts and prayers are with you.
Be not dismayed, be strong and of good courage. Hold on tightly to each other, letting the love you share lift you up. Many things will fade in time, but the memories Willie Frank Middlebrook left Indianapolis to enjoy will last forever.
And remember God is always as close as a prayer. He is healing the brokenhearted ones and binding up their painful spots. Have faith in the everlasting, hope in tomorrow, and find comfort in the love from family and friends.
God bless.
Armando Swanson
January 22, 2010
My condolences go out to the Middlebrook Family in this time of sorrow.Let the fond and joyful memories of Willie Frank give you strength to bare his passing on.Willie Frank was a Friend,Mentor,Teacher,Big Brother,Confidant,but most of all he was a Stong Black Man.He was a role model for many young Black Men in te Bend. Willie Frank may be gone but he wll never be Forgotten!
Beverly Perry & Family
January 22, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Ron Herron
January 22, 2010
We the Herron famil;y offer you our prayers during your time of grief Stay strong for each other God bless
Darryl WILLIAMS
January 22, 2010
There are really no words to tell the story of Willie frank but ill say this God called one home to better days no more pain and no more tears Willie won the race free at last free at last go on take your rest Willie we loved the time god shared you with us ill see you later not good bye see you later [and dont talk to much so we can have plenty to talk about when i get there see you when we all get to heaven
Dr. Fred Draper
January 22, 2010
Willie you will be missed by your friends,family,and loved ones. May God bless and keep you.Rest in peace.
Sharon Graham-Nelson
January 22, 2010
To Linda and Family I was sorry to hear about Willie Frank I remember him as the big brother when Barbara(Punky)Walker-Kydd played with jacks on the porch with Linda. May God bless you'll
EDWARD DORHAN
January 21, 2010
MY BEST FRIEND..A FRIEND IS YOUR NEEDS ANSWERED..FOR YOU COME TO HIM WITH YOUR HUNGER,AND YOU SEEK HIM FOR PEACE.WHEN YOU PART FROM YOUR FRIEND YOU GRIEVE NOT;FOR THAT WHICH YOU LOVE MOST IN HIM MAY BE CLEARER IN HIS ABSENCE,AS THE MOUNTAIN TO THE CLIMBER IS CLEARER FROM THE PLAIN. REST IN PEACE BROOK
stephanie scaife
January 21, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Nique Dorhan
January 21, 2010
Uncle willie was like another father to me while growing up. Though I never met his immediate family I send my condolences to you all. I will always keep him in my heart and love him as he did me. May god be with you all.
Vernon Dorhan
January 21, 2010
Willie you will be missed. Rest in peace.
Betty Ford
January 21, 2010
Just wanted you to know I am thinking of all of you during this difficult time.I am praying for the family,Willie
was my friend grew up together and also
same graduation class.
God Bless All OF YOU
Betty Walker Ford
Marshall Emerson
January 21, 2010
To my dear friend, a mentor in my life, you will be missed.
Carol Watford-Berry
January 21, 2010
To Linda and family
I am praying for all of you may God
give
you comfort in this time of loss and
may he ease your pain and put happy
memories In It's place.
A JEFFERSON
January 21, 2010
We will miss you. My thoughts and prayers are with your family. I will see you on the other side.
January 21, 2010
Willie will always be remembered by me. I grew up with Willie and his family at Greater Friendship. I went to school with Linda, I love you all and I pray for the family.
I will miss Willie, he was a true friend, and cared for people, it did'nt matter who you were, if he could help you he would.
May peace and comfort be with his family.
Willie you will be missed
Belinda Hall, (Long Beach CA)
Bud Johnson
January 21, 2010
Rest in peace my BIG BROTHER
Joyce Sanders
January 21, 2010
My deepest condolences. May God bless you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Glenn Thistlethwaite
January 21, 2010
Our family's prayers go out to your family and friends and hope that you will all receive comfort and understanding.
We knew and worked with Willie during his college years and he dated one of our sisters. His sense of humor and spirit were infectious.
The Thistlethwaite's & Groff's
January 21, 2010
I was so sorry to hear of Willie's passing. I grew up on Kenmore St. & have fond memories of Willie & the entire Middlebrook family. May God comfort you during this difficult time.
Carolyn Sanders Gadlin
harry johnson
January 21, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
Rose M. & Carlos (Harris) Orlando
January 21, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
January 21, 2010
As a former Deputy Mayor, for the City of Indianapolis, Willie Frank Middlebrook help shape public opinion trhat was critical to the enhancement of the quality of life for city residents. My thoughts and prayers are with the family. John R. Hall,
Roderick Bohannan
January 21, 2010
A strong voice of the people will be missed.
Willie will always be remember for the motto in the opening and the closing his afternoon show, The Bottom Line, " that the levee has broken, the water is rising, and the cavalry is not coming, it is up to us to save our selves"; a motto so true today.
My thoughts and prayer are with the Middlebrook family.
Rest my faithful warrior friend, and comrade in arms, you have done well in service for your people. Roderick E. Bohannan
January 21, 2010
My prayers to all of the family. As high school friends, I will always remember his smile and gift of "talking". He was a very a very good man. Edna Boone (Houston, TX)
Les Lamon
January 21, 2010
What a sadness to learn of Willie Middlebrook's passing. I knew him as a student and friend, a strong personality and a force for good in this world. My thoughts and prayers are with his family.
Joe Simpson
January 21, 2010
To the Middlebrook family, my prayer are with you all. I am bless that I was honor to be one of Willie friend in Indy. Willie was a true soldier and friend that i love as a brother. May he rest in peace.
January 21, 2010
Willie and I were close HS and college friends. We went into business together and shared my moments and friends and cohorts. My thoughts and prayers are with the family at this time, and may God give you peace and tranquility knowing that Brook is in a better place.
Love, Fines and Mary Bass
January 21, 2010
Maryann and Family,
My prayers and love go out to you during this difficult time. The Walker family love the Middlebrook family and our hearts are heavy as well, and may God pour down the blessings to ease the pain of the lost of Willie Frank. I am so sorry that I will not be there for you, but I will be traveling to the East Coast to see my son and granddaughter for her 7th birthday during the time of the funeral.
Love always,
Helen(Walker)and Eddie Driver
Harold Grounds
January 21, 2010
My thoughts and prayers are with Willie and his family at tis time.
I was a classmate of Willies at Washington.
Steen King-Miles
January 21, 2010
May the peace of God be with the Middlebrook family at this difficult time. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Alma Powell
January 20, 2010
To the Family of Willie Middlebrook...my neighbors growing up on The Lake. We are so sorry to hear of the loss of your loved one. You are in our thoughts and prayers. Willie and I would laugh about the "fight" we had on the corner of Kenmore and Jefferson. I hit him, he hit me, and we both turned and ran home...to be friends ever after. May God pour blessings of wonderful memories of his life into your family gathering.
Alma Carolyn Nesbitt-Powell and Bill Powell
Jimmy and Nyoka King
January 20, 2010
Our love and sympathy to the Middlebrook family. Willie was a longtime special friend with a special walk and smile. He will be missed !!!
Dorothy Ann Barnes Bowles
January 20, 2010
Dear Middlebrook Family,
You are in my prayers!
Khadijah Muhammad
January 20, 2010
God's Peace be with Willie's family. He and I were joined by our "lake" residence in years past, our WHS attendance and our reconnection here in Indianapolis. He will be missed!
AKA: Evelyn Chapman
January 20, 2010
My sympathy with the Middlebrook family. I grew up across the alley from them on Kenmore Street and they were a wonderful family. Willie was always a kind man. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Jackie (Goodwin) Redding and Wayman Redding Jr.
Lonzo Kerr
January 20, 2010
Regretfully, I will be unable to attend the funeral but our thoughs and prayers are with Willie and all of his family. He, indeed, fought a couragous battle like so many of the things he stood up to while growing up on the Lake. His preservance and determination to acheive will be remembered always. Lonzo Kerr, Jr.
Larry Gholston
January 20, 2010
To the family of Willie Frank, he was one good man and I enjoyed his radio talk show program here in Indianapolis several years ago. Very upbeat and positive individual. To the family, look to the hillls, for all your help cometh from the LORD. My prayers are with you.
Tyrone M.Watford and Family
January 20, 2010
Our thoughts and prayers are with you in your time of grief. May your memories bring you comfort.
January 20, 2010
My sympathy to Willie's family. I was a Washington H.S. classmate and remember him as a football and basketball star. May he rest in peace now with another football and basketball star in the WHS class of '62, my husband Steve.
Jeaneen Sayer
Mishawaka, Indiana
Saint Clair Poindexter & Family
January 20, 2010
Just like to say to Willies family God bless you. Willie was my old friend for many years. We were in the same homeroom in 1959 coming from the old Washington H.S to the new Washington. I had a chance to talk to Willie about 3 years ago when he came to the Lakeside reunion. We hadn't seen each other in over 40 years and it was just like we were kids again. Willie was one of those rare friends that you enjoyed talking about old times and laughing together.
Vanessa Hill
January 20, 2010
TO TEH ENTIRE MIDDLEBROOK/OSBORNE FAMILY: I AM SO SORRY FOR YOUR LOSS, I'M PRAYING FOR YOU ALL: MAY THE LORD GIVE PEACE THAT PASSETH ALL UNDERSTANDING! GOD BLESS YOU
"WITH MUCH LOVE"
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