Published: May 06, 2008 09:24 am         

Gerald "Scratch" I. Middleton [Frostburg]

FROSTBURG - Gerald "Scratch" I. Middleton, 78, of Frostburg, went to be the Lord Saturday, May 3, 2008, at Washington County Hospital, Hagerstown.

Born Sept. 20, 1929, in Frostburg, he was a son of the late Alonzo and Frances "Fan" (Filer) Middleton. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Frances Jane Hanna; and a brother, Lionel Middleton.

He is survived by Norma Jean (Blank) Middleton, his wife of 42 years, whom he married April 3, 1966; a daughter, Vickie Rain Hansen of Poolesville; a son, Mark Gerald Middleton and wife Martha of Cumberland; stepgrandchildren, Jasmine and Danielle Bird and Jonathan Angle; a sister-in-law, Betty Middleton of Bel Air; a brother-in-law, Glen Hanna of Frostburg; and special caregivers, Bobbie and Diane.

He retired from Kelly Springfield Tire Company after 37 1/2 years of service. He served in the U.S. Naval Reserves for five years. He was a member of St. John's Episcopal Church and Mountain Lodge 99, AF&AM, Frostburg.

Jerry loved life and enjoyed time spent with family and friends. He will be greatly missed.

Friends will be received at the Harvey H. Zeigler Funeral Home, Inc., 169 Clarence St., Hyndman, on Tuesday from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. with a Masonic service at 8 p.m.

A funeral service will be conducted at the funeral home on Wednesday at 1 p.m. with Pastor Stevie Leydig officiating.

Burial will follow at Hyndman Cemetery, Hyndman, with Garry and Bruce Hanna, Craig Middleton, Eric Blank, Harold Skidmore and Bill Williams serving as pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Hyndman Ministry Center.