Marilyn Joyce Middleton

Marilyn Joyce (Calentine) Middleton, 94 of Orlando passed away peacefully on
December 15, 2024. Marilyn was born to Robert and Hilda (Blum) Calentine on
July 6, 1930. She is survived by her children Tim Middleton (Orlando), Suzanne
Middleton (Charlotte) and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by Dan, her loving husband of 64 years and siblings
Robert Calentine, Marjorie Clark and Gloria Hoover.
Originally from Columbus, Ohio, Marilyn attended The Ohio State University and
Franklin University. Growing up during the Depression she developed a work
ethic that would carry her through many decades. Marilyn worked in multiple
positions from working at Westinghouse as a consultant in Field Promotion to
secretary for the Department of Naval Intelligence and the Joint Chiefs of Staff, at
the Pentagon. She lived a life devoted to the service of the Lord and caring for
others in need. In 1971, she became a realtor, winning multiple sales awards and
obtaining the Million Dollar Club. She donated her salary to Outreach for Youth, a
faith centered drug rehabilitation center, where she was a Board Member.
Having a thirst for knowledge and compassion for those less fortunate, she went
back to school in 1980 to become a Medical Assistant and Emergency Medical
Technician to aid her on mission trips. The longing to be a missionary was
motivated by her own mother who had the same desire and who passed this on
to Marilyn. On the day of her passing, a devotional at her bedside was entitled “A
Mother’s Faith”. The scripture was from 2 Timothy 1:5, which says “I am
reminded or your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in
your mother Eunice and . . . now lives in you.”
Marilyn’s devotion of spreading Christ’s love had her returning to school and
becoming an ordained minister. For more than 30 years, she volunteered as a
Chaplain at multiple hospitals, medical facilities and Give Kids The World, where
she not only prayed for people, but performed weddings, funerals and baptisms.
Having always had an interest in the law, in 1998 she became a Florida Supreme
Court Certified Mediator, where she volunteered for 22 years. In 2002, she was
appointed by then Governor Jeb Bush, to sit on the Board of Physical Therapy
Practice, where she became the oldest and longest serving member.

She truly was a force of nature, on a continual path of learning and helping
others. Additionally, she was a member of Scioto Country Club in Upper
Arlington, OH. Shared with her husband, Dan and son Tim, was an extensive
interest in collector cars, having owned, showed and won numerous awards on
multiple cars. Dan and Marilyn were active members in four local Jaguar Clubs of
North America chapters.
She touched countless lives in so many ways. She will be missed by many but not
forgotten.
Funeral services will be held at 11 AM Friday December 27, 2024 in the chapel at
Orlando Lutheran Towers, 300 E. Church Street, Orlando, Florida 32801. A
reception will be held after the service. Internment will take place at Forest Lawn
Memorial Gardens, 5600 E Broad St, Columbus, OH on December 30, 2024 at 11
AM.
In lieu of flowers please consider a memorial donation to the following: Orlando
Lutheran Towers Foundation, 300 E. Church Street, Orlando, FL 32801 or Give Kids
the World (www.gktw.org).

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