Dan Middleton, 72, of Jones Creek, went home to be with the Lord Wednesday, May 2, 2012, following a sudden illness. A native and lifelong resident of Harlan County, he was a disabled coal miner and a member of the Jones Creek First Missionary Baptist Church. Dan loved helping his family, friends and neighbors and was always willing to lend a hand to anyone that needed it.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Bill and Dorothy Gilbert Middleton; a son, Roy Middleton; and four brothers, Roy, Ray, Paul and Larry “Nuke” Middleton.

Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Nellie Proffitt Middleton, Jones Creek; three daughters, Donna Stewart and husband, Teddy, Jones Creek; Lynn Helton and husband, David, Jones Creek; Rosa “P-nut” Brock and husband, Johnny, Verda; a sister, Iva Jean Burkhart, Jones Creek; and three sisters-in-law, Janice Middleton, Lois Pittman and Diane Proffitt.

Also surviving are nine grandchildren, Rebekah (Brian) Short, DJ (Cassie) Helton, Adam Helton, Angel (Cody) Helton, Kaitlynn Helton, Kevin Burkhart, Bethany Baird, Danielle Middleton and Natalie Middleton; five great-grandchildren, Blake and Jaxon Short, Allessa Helton, Audrianna Stewart, Amillia Burkhart and an unborn grandson Helton; and a host of other family and friends, including special friends, Frank Robinette, Charles Hyde, Don McCallister and Duke Bowers.

Visitation will be from 5 until 8 pm Friday and Saturday at the Evarts Funeral Home.

Funeral services will be conducted Sunday, May 5, 2012, at 2 pm in the Chapel of the Evarts Funeral Home with the Reverend Lloyd Ray Burkhart officiating.

Burial will follow in the Evarts Memorial Gardens with family and friends serving as pallbearers.

Online condolences may be left for the family at www.harlanobits.net.

Evarts Funeral Home is in charge of his arrangements.