Benjamin Middleton

Obituaries

August 22, 2013 - 12:00 AM

Benjamin Charles “Ben” Middleton, 81, Iola, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 20, 2013, at Windsor Place in Iola.
Ben was born Aug. 7, 1932, on the family farm west of Iola, the son of Charles Benedict and Lilly Maudelle (Ellis) Middleton. He grew up in Iola where he graduated from Iola High School in 1950 and Iola Junior College in 1952. Ben was drafted into the U.S. Army where he served in the 1st Infantry Division from 1953 to 1955.
On June 6, 1955, Ben married Maria Theresia Spies at the military chapel in Wurzburg, Germany. They always made their home in Iola. Ben retired in July 1996 after working 40 years as an engineering technician for the Kansas Department of Transportation. Maria preceded him in death April 13, 1999.
Ben married Beverly J. (Lawrence) Taylor Sept. 30, 2000, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Iola. Beverly preceded him in death March 22, 2012.
His memberships include St. John’s Catholic Church, 4th Degree Knights of Columbus, and LaHarpe VFW. He had served as president of Kansas Certified Engineering Technicians (KCET), on the Iola Planning Commission, USD 257 Board of Education, and as an auxiliary officer for the Iola Police Department.
Survivors are his daughter Monika King and husband, Stephen, Atchison; son Benedikt C. Middleton, Iola; five step-children, Doug Taylor, Iola, Dean Taylor and wife, Kelly, Andover, Terry Taylor and wife, Carol, Olpe, David Taylor and wife, Penny, Iola, and Sara Taylor, Springfield, Mo.; two brothers, Kenneth Middleton and wife, Phyllis, Claremore, Okla., and Jerry Middleton, Wichita; one sister, Illene Gambill and husband, Bill, Coffeyville; nine grandchildren, Addie Bowlin and husband Randy, Tulsa, Okla., Dominik King and wife Stephanie, Wichita, Viktoria King and Alexander King, Atchison, Emily Middleton, Portland, Ore., Alana Middleton, Pittsburg, Michael Middleton, Sheri Middleton and Theresia Middleton, Iola; 14 step-grandchildren and 11 step-great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by three children in infancy, Ilse, Gerard and Charles Middleton.
Parish rosary will be at 6:30 p.m., Sunday, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Iola. Visitation will follow the rosary in St. John’s Parish Center.
Funeral mass will be at 10:30 a.m., Monday, at St. John’s Catholic Church in Iola.
Burial will be at Highland Cemetery in Iola, with military honors.
Memorials can be made to St. John’s Catholic Church and left with Waugh-Yokum & Friskel Memorial Chapel of Iola.
Online condolences may be left at www.iolafuneral.com.

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