The obituary, shown below, was originally published in the January 24, 2011
issue of
Southern Chester County Weeklies (West Chester, PA).
Joseph Nelson Middleton III of Landenberg
Nelson Middleton was born in Wilmington, Del. to Paul E. and Sophie W. Middleton. The family purchased and moved to a farm, in Landenberg, when he was 12 years old. He lived there until his death on Saturday, Jan. 22, 2011, at the age of 91. Nelson graduated from Kennett High School in 1937 and the University of Delaware in 1941 with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. He was a 2nd lieutenant in the army at the start of WWII, but received an early discharge due to rheumatic fever that he suffered in childhood. With his engineering background, Nelson contributed to the war effort testing munitions in Connecticut, then war planes in Baltimore, Md. at the Glenn L. Martin plant. After the war, Nelson and his brother, Paul E. Middleton Jr., joined their father’s plumbing and heating business in Wilmington. When his father and brother died in the 1960s, Nelson continued Middleton Plumbing and Heating on his own for more than 30 years. Nelson married Evelyn Tapie, of Centreville, Del., in 1943 at Lower Brandywine Presbyterian Church, Centreville. They had two sons, Jay N. Middleton IV and John Garver Middleton II. Jay predeceased his father this past November 2010. Nelson is survived by his wife, Evelyn; son, John; Jay’s wife, Holly Middleton; grandchildren Emily and Eric Middleton; and his doggie companion, Spree. A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 29, at Lower Brandywine Presbyterian Church, 101 Old Kennett Rd., Wilmington, DE 19807. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Canine Partners for Life, P.O. Box 170, Cochranville, PA 19330; or to Lower Brandywine Church at the above address. Arrangements are being handled by the Founds Funeral Home, Inc., West Chester, (610) 696-0134. Online condolences may be made to www. foundsfuneralhome.com.