Charles Anthoney Middleton, 63, of Novinger, Missouri, passed away unexpectedly Sunday (May 29, 2016) at Northeast Regional Medical Center in Kirksville.

Born June 17, 1952 in Kirksville, Missouri, Charles was the son of James Robert and Barbara Jane (Blacksmith) Middleton. On January 6, 1979 in Kirksville, Missouri, Charlie was united in marriage to Mary Robeson.

Charlie is survived by his wife Mary of thirty-seven years; two sons, Jeremy Middleton of Kirksville, MO and Brad Middleton of Novinger, MO; mother-in-law, Ellen Robeson of Queen City, MO; half brother, James Middleton of Kirksville, MO; two half sisters, Cathy of Missouri and Sandra Simonson of Novinger, MO; and six grandchildren, Taylor, Miranda, Brooklyn, Emily, Braiden, and Emma Middleton.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Alan Middleton, and father-in-law, Edward Robeson.

Charlie was a graduate from Novinger High School with the Class of 1970. Charlie worked at the Florsheim Shoe Factory and part time as a police officer for the City of Novinger. After eight years he became a full time police officer for Novinger. He enjoyed serving the community for a total of twenty-eight years. Charlie was always serving the Novinger community in other ways including being a volunteer fire fighter. He and Perry Joe started the Novinger Fire Department and Charlie was proud of how the department had grown over the years. Charlie was never one to just sit around, he was involved in school sports as a time keeper for basketball games and umpired in the summer for baseball games. The players knew that Charlie was always known for calling the low ball strikes. He thought that it was important for children to learn not only the basics of the game, but also how to be a good sport and team player.

When working as a police officer Charlie taught DARE. He wanted to help all children learn good values. In his later years following his retirement, Charlie enjoyed selling the produce he and Mary raised at the local farmers market. He always enjoyed visiting and being with his friends at the farmers market.

Most of all Charlie enjoyed being a dad and later on a grandpa and was very proud of them all. He was a wonderful husband, father, grandpa, and life long friend. Charlie had a great love for children and will be greatly missed.

Public visitation will be held from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, (June 1, 2016) in the chapel of Travis-Noe Funeral Home in Kirksville.

Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Thursday, (June 2, 2016) at Travis-Noe Funeral Home, with Pastor Darrell Crooks officiating. Interment will follow the service on the Robeson Farm in rural Queen City, Missouri.

Pallbearers will be Jason Sandner, Keith Hammons, Virgil Stewart, Tom Walters, Marty Martin, Brad Middleton and Braiden Middleton. Honorary pallbearers will be Bobby Matheney, Perry Joe Broseghini, Alvis Beersman and Jeremy Middleton.

Expressions of sympathy in memory of Charlie Middleton may be made to the Novinger Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary. Memorials may be left at or mailed to Travis-Noe Funeral Home, P.O. Box 306, Kirksville, MO 63501.