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Mildred Blanche "Milly" Middlesworth, 88, of Lewistown, passed away at 9:12 p.m. Monday, Nov. 1, 2021, at Geisinger Medical Center, Danville.
Born March 2, 1933, in Burnham, she was a daugh- ter of the late George D. and B. Blanche (Lightfoot) Rheem.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by brothers, William "Bill", George, Charles "Charlie", Howard "Ben", and Milton "Micky" Rheem.
Surviving are: husband, Donald Middlesworth; children, Linda Good and husband, James of Descanso, Calif., Steven Middlesworth and wife, Susan, of Hershey, and Nancy Dundore and husband, David, of Cleona; six grandchildren, Jason and Alyssa Good, Lauren and Ian Middlesworth, and Matt and Erin Dundore; and siblings, Albert "Abbie" Rheem and wife, Louise, of Salisbury, N.C., Richard "Dick" Rheem and wife, Sandy, of Palm Coast, Fla., and Evelyn "Sue" Pratt, of Sebring, Fla..
Milly graduated from Burnham High School.
She was a member of Lewistown Presbyterian Church.
She was employed as a secretary for Standard Steel Corp., worked page layout for the Lewistown Sentinel and was a bookkeeper for Bauman and Eichenlaub, DDS.
An accomplished athlete, Milly pitched for her high school softball team and was keen on competing with her brothers as a strong female. She participated in multiple sports but was especially involved in tennis.
Milly was a gifted piano and organ player. She played organ for Lewistown Presbyterian Church and Highland Park Presbyterian Church. She often played piano at William Penn Center, so the residents could sing along. Her children appreciated being serenaded to sleep at night as her music filled the house with her love.
For the community, Milly served leadership roles in the Parent Teacher's Association and Cub Scouts.
As an excellent quilter, Milly completed many projects for family and friends and her work is cherished in our homes. She held two quilting classes for the community. She was proud of her students who won awards with the projects they worked on in her classes.
Milly earned an advanced ham radio license and learned Morse code so she could share her husband's hobby and show that women were just as capable. Her call sign was KE3JL. She communicated with people all over the world.
Her pinochle group provided Milly with a great deal of fun and friendship. They played in many local venues and shared laughs and melds together.
Gardening was an avid interest for Milly. She was outside in her garden more than she was inside.
The Mifflin County Library Book Club was one of Milly's joys. She read an average of two books each week and passed that love of reading on to her children and grandchildren.
Milly was a writer and storyteller. She regaled the family with tales she created and wrote a book she entitled "Just A Girl," which was placed in Mifflin County Library. Her writing recounts her experiences growing up in the local area.
A private memorial service will be held at Lewistown Presbyterian Church for the family officiated by Rev. Sarah Sedgwick. The service is available online via YouTube (Lewistown Presbyterian Church) and Zoom for friends and family members who are out of town.
Milly would be honored if you supported your favorite charity in lieu of flowers.
Hoenstine Funeral Home, 75 Logan St., Lewistown, is in charge of arrangements.
Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.hellerhoenstinefun- eralhome.com.