The life of Cable resident Lucille E. Middleton, who died at age 89 on Wednesday, included several achievements. She attended Wittenberg University at an age when many would not wish to pursue such a challenge. She met the challenge, however, and graduated in 1973. She served as Cable's postmaster several years and, with her husband John, operated Middleton's Tree Nursery.
She also was a teacher at Lawnview School, which she helped establish.
"She was one of the founders of what many still refer to as the Lawnview program. It became her life's work," Than Johnson, CEO of Champaign Residential Services Inc., says in a letter he wrote upon learning of her death. He also notes she served on the CRSI board of trustees during its early years.
The obituary in Friday's edition of the Daily Citizen refers to Middleton as "the pioneer mother of Lawnview School" and explains that, with Woodrow Purdy, she obtained funding to start the school in 1954.
Middleton's efforts were recognized beyond Champaign County.
The Ohio Association for Retarded Citizens named her Teacher of the Year in 1978. In 1985, she became the only Champaign County resident to have been inducted into the Ohio Women's Hall of Fame, for her service to people with disabilities.
In his letter, Johnson writes: "Lucille Middleton represented the good in everyone with her care and service."
A visitation for Middleton is being held from 10 to 11:30 a.m. today in the Freshwater, McDonald & Vernon Funeral Home in North Lewisburg. A funeral service will follow at 11:30 a.m.
Kathleen Fox can be reached at kfox@urbanacitizen.com
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