Francis E. Middendorf, 87, of Vestal, went to the Lord on January 13, 2014, after a long battle with stroke and dementia. He passed on peacefully at an Emeritus memory care facility in San Antonio, TX. Frank was predeceased by the love of his life, wife Velma, in 1993, daughter Charlotte “Chicky” Rogers in 2011, and grandson David Henninger in 1976. He is survived by one son and daughter-in-law, Raymond and Dora Middendorf, San Antonio TX, one daughter and son-in-law, Teresa and Denny Rhodes, Castle Creek, NY; ten grandchildren children: Caroline Seidel, Conklin, Ann Bello, Binghamton, Michael Middendorf, Montgomery, TX, Renee Middendorf, Venice, CA, Eileen Middendorf Coffey, Austin, TX, Maxine Osborn, Sugar Land, TX, Rachel Strong, Windsor; Sheri Cowles, Minoa, Brandy Marsh, Candor, and Carrie Gollogly, Castle Creek; twenty-nine great grandchildren, Charlene, Matthew, Brooke, Jack, Amiee, Hannah, Lucian, Ashley, Madison, Wesley, Shawna, Ashley, Dominique, Haven, Gracie, Joseph, Olivia, Lily, Jackson, Dylan, Katelyn, Aiden, Ryan, Nicole, Alexis, Mya, Calli, Levi and Madison; and three great great grandchildren, Otto, Raegan and Calvin. Frank is also survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Ann and Edward Shaughnessy, Vestal, and sister-in-law Rita Lupold, Owego, and many nieces, nephews. Frank was born in Vestal to Raymond and Goldie Middendorf. He was a life long proud resident of Vestal. Frank enlisted in the Navy in 1943 and served in the Pacific theater, most memorably at the battle of Okinawa. Frank was a very proud veteran. He was wearing a Navy reunion shirt when he took his last breath. In recognition of his service to his country, the Vestal School District awarded Frank an honorary high school diploma in 2003. Frank was a rural letter carrier for the Vestal Post Office for 38 years. He also worked night jobs as a machinist and in retail during much of his working life. Frank was an avid golfer, gardener, firewood cutter, and recycler.
Services will be held Wednesday 7 pm from the Allen Memorial Home, 511-513 East Main Street, Endicott. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Johnson City, Thursday at 11 am. The family will receive friends at the Allen memorial Home, Wednesday from 4 pm until service time at 7 pm.