Wayne Everett “Shorty” Middleton, 76, son of John E and Ethel W. (Gourley) Middleton, was born Sept. 23, 1936, in Solo, Mo. He passed away June 19, 2013, at his home in Mountain Grove with his family by his side.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
He grew up in Solo, Mo., and graduated from Houston High School. Wayne entered the United States Army on Feb. 10, 1959, during Vietnam and served as a communication technician until he was honorably discharged on Feb. 9, 1965.
On July 6, 1972, he married the love of his life, Rebecca Guernsey. They soon would have celebrated their 41st anniversary. They had three children; Bill, JoAnn and Dennis.
He is survived by his wife, Becky, of their home in Mountain Grove, Mo.; his children, Bill Willis and wife, Nanette, of Springfield, Mo.,, JoAnn Cook and husband, Doyle, of Springfield, Mo., and Dennis Middleton and wife, Amy, of Nixa, Mo.; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and a brother, Kenneth Middleton of Hartville, Mo.
Shorty was a man of many trades; he worked for Boeing, Sunflower Ordinance, drove an ambulance and was a fireman. He worked for Mid America Dairyman for 28 years, retiring in 1999. Shorty also tilled gardens for 13 years. He loved to work. He would get off from his day job and then would go out and find something to keep him busy. He had a talent for making something out of nothing. And if he couldn’t figure something out, he would sleep on it and come up with a solution the next day.
He was baptized at an early age and attended Emmanuel Baptist Church in Mountain Grove, Mo.
After retirement, Shorty fell in love with fishing. He would go fishing as much as he possibly could. You could also find him at the local coffee shop every morning and evening catching up with his buddies seeing who could tell the biggest and best story. Shorty had a way of never meeting a stranger always striking up a conversation with any one he would meet.
Shorty was a very kind and generous man; he would do anything for anyone. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandfather and a true friend to many. He will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.
Services were 11 a.m. Saturday, June 22, 2013, at Emmanuel Baptist Church in Mountain Grove, Mo., with Pastor Wayne Cannon officiating. Pallbearers were Dennis Willis, Bill Middleton, Doyle Cook, Kenney Akers, Jason Guernsey and Charlie Shaw. Honorary Pallbearers were Ralph Harris, Van Elliott, Ronnie Dugger, James Wright and Lyle Loomis. Burial with full military honors was in Hillcrest Cemetery under the direction of Evans Funeral Home.
Memorials may be made to Three Rivers Hospice. Online condolences may be made at www.evansfh.com.
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