James Middendorf

James P. Middendorf, age 73, of Girard, passed away Thursday, May 8, 2014 after a courageous battle with cancer. He was born in Erie on September 13, 1940 the son of Katherine Imig Middendorf and the late Francis (Barney) Middendorf.

He graduated with a degree in Business Administration from Gannon University and enjoyed a diverse and successful career as Vice President/Director of Operations for the North American Baking Corp., Fairview, PA; general manager of the Pine Orchard Yacht and Country Club in Bunford, CT and general manager of Hotel Cavalier in Beverly Hills, CA. His career then expanded to working with oversees based corporations in Spain and Venezuela in assisting them in investments in the USA. Anxious to return to the Lake Erie area, Jim pursued one of his life-long dreams of interior design. He achieved his certification from the American Society of Interior Design and became Director of Merchandise for the five-store J.L. Goodman Furniture Co. in Cleveland, OH and retired as an interior designer and senior sales associate for the Sedlak Furniture Co. in Solon, OH. Upon retirement, he devoted his remaining years to the constant care of his mother, Katherine. He was a devout Catholic and member of St. John the Evangelist Church in Girard.

In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by a brother, John Middendorf.

He is survived by his mother, Katherine; a sister, Mary Kay Borkowski of Girard; a brother, William and his wife Patricia of Dillsburg, PA; three nephews: Michael Middendorf of Powell, OH, Mark Middendorf of Arlington, VA and Matthew Mikovich of Millcreek; five nieces: Colleen McCann of Westminster, MD, Patricia Middendorf of Arlington, VA., Jennifer Fails of Girard, Michelle Treakle, Locust Grove, VA., and Erica Oshlick, Pittsburgh, PA.; as well as many great nieces and nephews.

Friends may call at the Burton Funeral Home, 525 Main Street East, in Girard, on Monday from 9:30-11 a.m., and are invited to attend a funeral Mass at 11:30 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 101 Olin Ave with Reverend Bill Miller officiating. Memorials may be made to the ANNA Shelter, 1555 East 10th St., Erie, PA 16511 or the Kanzius Cancer Research Foundation, 130 W. 18th St., Erie, PA 16501. Burial will be at St. John Cemetery. Condolences may be sent to www.burtonfuneralhome.com.