Clarence Edward Middlekauff
1924-2022
Clarence Edward Middlekauff, 97, of Berkeley Springs, W.Va., passed away peacefully on March 9, 2022 at home with his family.
Born August 9, 1924 in Hagerstown, Md., he was the son of the late Clarence Leroy and Emma Hager Middlekauff.
Ed was a man of faith and was a member of the Berkeley Springs Presbyterian Church.
He graduated from Hagerstown High School and attended The University of Maine where he studied Civil Engineering.
Ed was employed at Fairchild Aircraft in Hagerstown prior to moving to Berkeley Springs in 1950 to work as a civil engineer at Silica Sand Corporation, where he retired after 35 years of loyal service. He continued as an engineering consultant well into his seventies.
In World War II, Ed served in General Patton’s 3rd Army, 26th Infantry Division, 104th Infantry Regiment, Company F as a combat infantryman and sniper. His gallantry in combat was evidenced by his being awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star, two Purple Heart Medals awarded during the Battle of the Bulge, and the Combat Infantry Medal. In 2021, the government of France made him a Knight of the Legion of Honor, France’s highest civilian honor, for his heroism on French soil in 1944. This honor was presented during a ceremony at the French Embassy by Secretary of State Antony Blinken. His combat history was recorded by the nonprofit Heroes of the Second World War and his story is housed in the Library of Congress. His Silver Star citation for gallantry in action for safely leading Company F to a fortified position near Lidrezing, France on November 19, 1944 reads, “His courage under fire, leadership ability, and loyal devotion to duty reflect the highest credit upon Technical Sergeant Middlekauff and the armed forces of the United States.”
Ed was always willing to lend his design and artistic talents around town and proudly designed the American Legion Building and the World War II Veterans Monument.
He led the Boys State Program and the Explorers Club for several years, and was a member of the Seldom Seen Hunting Club.
He was an exceptional watercolor artist and spent most of his later years expertly capturing the beauty of animals and nature on canvas.
His family will fondly remember traveling together up and down the East coast, and their vacations to the Outer Banks where he would join his grandchildren in their excitement for the ice cream truck.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Patricia Rosalie Andrews Middlekauff; daughter, Jan Rosalie Briel and husband Michael, of Round Hill, Va.; son, Thomas Edward Middlekauff and partner Tammy Beachley, of Smithsburg, Md.; and three grandchildren, Kelsey Elizabeth Rosalie Briel and husband John R. Kalafut, John Michael Briel and Hannah Marie Middlekauff. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three brothers and four sisters.
Funeral services were conducted Monday, March 14, at Helsley-Johnson Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 95 Union Street, Berkeley Springs. Rev. Alexa Smith officiated. Burial with military honors provided by the Tri-State Honor Guard were in Greenway Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alderton-Dawson American Legion Post #60, 527 N. Washington Street, Berkeley Springs, WV 25411 or to Hospice of the Panhandle, 330 Hospice Lane, Kearneysville, WV 25430.
Online condolences may be expressed at www.helsleyjohnsonfh.com.