MIDDLETON, Shirley Joyce (née Richardson), age 87, of Lebanon, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at Bethany Village. She was born on January 31, 1938, in Estill County, Kentucky, to Ralph and Joyce (née Rogers) Richardson.
A proud graduate of Anderson University in Anderson, Indiana, Shirley lived a life rooted in faith and service. She was an active member of Faith Alliance Church and later Towne Boulevard Church of God in Middletown, where her devotion and kindness touched many.

Shirley dedicated her career to education, shaping the lives of countless students in the Middletown City School District. She served with distinction as Dean of Girls at the 9th Grade School and later as a beloved English and History teacher at Middletown High School. Even after retiring in 1996, her passion for learning continued as she tutored students for many years, leaving an enduring legacy of encouragement and wisdom.

Family was the heart of Shirley's life. She cherished time spent with loved ones in Ohio and with her large extended family in Kentucky. She delighted in watching her children grow, and her greatest joy came from her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whose lives she celebrated with pride and love.
Shirley was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Gene Middleton; her son, Scott Middleton; daughter-in-law, Susan Middleton; and her sister, Connie Herman. She is survived by her daughter, Gena Middleton; her son, Adam (Carol) Middleton; her sister, June Owens; her brother-in-law, John Herman; her grandchildren, Klark (Kristin) Middleton and Grant (Halee) Middleton; and her great-grandchildren, Lainey, Weston, Amos, and James.
Visitation will be held on Tuesday, December 2, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 p.m., with the funeral service immediately following at Oswald-Hoskins Funeral Home in Lebanon. Reverend Shawn Acrey will officiate. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Ohio Hospice of Dayton or the Anderson University Alumni Scholarship Fund.

Shirley's life was a testament to faith, family, and education. She will be remembered for her unwavering devotion, her gentle spirit, and the countless lives she enriched.