Lyle H. Middleton

April 28, 1929 – August 25, 2020

Lyle Middleton passed away peacefully on August 25, 2020 at The Maples in Springfield, Missouri at the age of 91. He was born in Boone County, Arkansas in 1929.  Lyle was preceded in death by his parents, Clyde and Jessie (Matlock) Middleton, and his older brothers Jack, Quentin (Nellie) and Leland (Christine). Lyle married Judy Bowman on August 19, 1953, and they had two children.  Judy passed away in 1994.  Lyle is survived by his children: Gina (Kirk) Clinkingbeard of Ava, Missouri and Kerry (Jennifer) Middleton of Edina, Minnesota. He is also survived by three grandchildren, Kyle (fiancée, Emma Kidd) Clinkingbeard, and Jack and Andrea Middleton.

Lyle was a public school teacher in southwest Missouri for more than 30 years. He coached basketball at Hurley and Ozark followed by Glendale and Kickapoo high schools in Springfield.  He was a two-sport athlete from 1949-53 at Arkansas State Teachers College (now the University of Central Arkansas), excelling in basketball and track. He earned a master's degree from Drury College.

Lyle was a devout Christian who taught his kids to love the Lord and follow Jesus. He was the consummate family man – a loving husband who passionately supported his kids and grandkids in every endeavor. He loved traveling with his family, especially if it involved camping and long driving trips that started at 5:00 am. Lyle had many loyal friends who fondly enjoyed his sharp wit. He was kind to strangers, comfortably conversing with anyone about anything. Lyle valued education. He followed current events and politics closely and was a student of history. He enjoyed lively debates about political issues but never made it personal or nasty. He was a steadfast fan of the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers, enduring far more heartbreaks than triumphs over seven decades. In his later years, Lyle was a proud, doting grandfather who took great joy in spending time with -- and bragging about -- Kyle, Jack and Andrea.  He will be missed by many, but Lyle had a blessed life and is in a better place now. He was laid to rest next to Judy in a private ceremony on August 29, 2020.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials to Omaha Cemetery Association, 14727 Old Springfield Rd., Omaha, AR 72662. Services were  conducted by Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, MO.