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Delores Jean Middleton went to be with the Lord on Monday, Oct. 22, 2018 at her home in Sturgis. She was born in Three Rivers Hospital on Feb. 25, 1936 to Duane and Maxine (Brown) Knapp. She was the fourth generation of the Knapp family to reside in Three Rivers. She attended Andrews School and Three Rivers High School and remembered her time there with great fondness. In 1952 she was married to Earl Middleton. She worked as a waitress at the Unique Café in Three Rivers, and then cleaned offices of local lawyers and the Secretary of State office in Sturgis for over 35 years.
She is survived by three children, Kristy (Sigfrid Loetz) Maass of Sturgis, Jeffrey (Sally) Middleton of Three Rivers, and Carrie (Chris) Creighton of Belleview, FL; eleven grandchildren, Hansel Maass, Heidi Maass (Aaron) Ramel, Tristan Maass of California, Erica Maass of Montel, IA, Alex (Kerry) Middleton, Colin Middleton of Chicago, and Lucas (Erin) Middleton of Kalamazoo, Daniel Middleton Weed of Vicksburg, Lacy Middleton Kuhnle of Tennessee, Nelson (Teresa) Creighton, and Victor Creighton of Florida; ten great-grandchildren; three sisters, Joan Evilsizor, Jeanette Motz, and Shirley Rice; three brothers, James, Billy, and Ronald Knapp; and by many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents; her daughter, Julie Ann Middleton; and her former husband, Earl D. Middleton.
Raised in Three Rivers, Delores considered herself a “Third Ward Kid”. She had many happy memories of growing up in that neighborhood. She could tell you who lived in almost every house. She also cherished her time at Three Rivers High School. For the last 40 years Delores resided in Sturgis and had many friends there.
Delores lovingly cared for her home, her yard, and her flowers. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, neighbor and friend. Delores enjoyed following the accomplishments of her children and grandchildren. She was a room mother and Barrows School PTA member while her children attended there. She was a lifetime member of the Three Rivers Bible Church, and also attended the Bible Church in Sturgis. Delores wrote and collected poetry. She was an avid amateur genealogist, tracing her family back for many generations. She enjoyed attending the Knapp, Brown, Ware, and Swihart family reunions.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 pm Thursday at the Eickhoff Farrand Halverson Chapel in Three Rivers. Funeral services will be at 1:00 pm Friday, Oct. 26, 2018 at the funeral home with Rev, Derl Keefer, Pastor of the First United Methodist Church officiating. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery. It is suggested that memorials be directed to Southern Care Hospice. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.efhchapel.com
