Robert Middleton

Robert “Bobby” “Smiley” Orlin Middleton, 81, of Hutchinson, died April 15, 2021, at Hospice House. He was born November 19, 1939, in Cromwell, Oklahoma, to Mart and Pearlie (Meeks) Middleton.

Bobby graduated from high school in Cromwell. In 1963, he began his service in the United States Army. Bobby worked for Eaton Corporation as a machinist for 37 and a half years. He was kind to everyone he met, with no exception, and very generous. If you had a meal with Bobby he would go out of his way to cover the check. He loved gardening, especially flowers and rose bushes. Bobby also had a vegetable garden, from which he was always giving produce to others.

He is survived by: sister, Evelyn Metzler (Lott), Hutchinson; niece, Lori Cox (Ivan), Hutchinson; nephews, Eddie Alexander (Donna) and David Alexander (Rita Corbin), both of Hutchinson; niece Angie Hohl (Tyler), Arizona; great-nieces and nephews, Trey and Clancy Cox, Shelby and Mason Alexander, Emma Corbin, Isaac Alexander, Kirsten McCarthy, and Seuris Hohl.

Bobby was preceded in death by: his parents; brother, James Middleton; and sister, Nelda Jean Morphis.

Funeral service will be 2 p.m. Thursday, April 22, 2021, at Elliott Mortuary. Burial will follow at 11 a.m. Friday, April 23, 2021, in Little Cemetery, in Little, Oklahoma. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday, with the family present from 6 to 8 p.m. at Elliott Mortuary.

Memorials are suggested to Hospice House or St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 N. Main, Hutchinson, KS 67501.