Mrs. Eleanor Virginia Bidle, 90, Middletown, died Monday June 18 at the home of her son in Middletown after a lenghty illness. Her husband of 29 years, G. Richard Bidle, died in a tractor accident in 1973 in Middletown.
Born at the family farm on Marker Road on April 2, 1922 she is a the daughter of the late Martin S. and Charlotte Holter Beachley and the oldest of six children.
She was a lifelong member of Christ Reformed UCC, Middletown; served on the altar committee for many years; served on the consistory; was chairperson of the usher committee and also meals on wheels. She also served on the mission board and called to care committee; a member of the Christe-de-Fille sunday school class and helped serve at the soup kitchen.
She was a member of the Middletown Grange #331 in 1939 and served as a lecturer for many years; was a member of the Frederick Co. Pomona Grange #11 and served as lecturer for several years and was on the degree team. She was a member of the Maryland State Grange where she received the Grange of the year award; joined the National Grange and was a 7th degree member.
She was a life member of the Frederick Co. Farm Museum Association and had served on the Board of Directors. She also served on the Frances Crum Cake committee and was the founder of the Braddock-Middletown Community show.
She was a member of the Frederick County Guernsey Association and the Capitol Milk Producers Association. She was a member of the Mid-Valley Homemakers club and served as its secretary.
She is survived by:
6 children - Gloria Phelps and husband Richard - Myersville; Larry Bidle - Middletown; Sandra Crouse and husband David - Myersville; Patricia Wiles and husband Johnny - Middletown; Gertrude Mende and husband Tom - Middletown; Dale Bidle and wife Linda - Myersville
10 grandchildren - Rick Phelps and wife Kim; Jean Delauter and husband Brian; Dustin Bidle; Wesley Bidle; Scott Crouse; Tracy Asbury and husband Clyde; Chad Wiles and wife Ann; Kevin Wiles; Blane Bidle; Brett Bidle
10 great-grandchildren
She is also survived by the following brother and sisters - Regina Ahalt and husband Maurice - Middletown; Fred Beachley and wife Janice - Middletown; Gladys Smith - Wolfsville; Ruth Rebecca Guyton and husband Merle - Middletown
She was predeceased by a brother and sister-in-law - M. Richard and Charlotte "Dolly" Beachley; brother-in-law - Charles U. Smith; and a special cousin Miss Frances Darner.
The family wiould like to thank her caregiver Pat Hedgepeth for all the loving care she gave their mother and Hospice of Frederick County for the comfort they gave their mother in her final days.
The family will receive friends on Thursday June 21 at the chapel in Christ Reformed UCC, 12 S. Church St., Middletown from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 PM. Funeral services will be held 11 AM on Friday June 22 from the church. Rev. Mark A. Wakefield will officiate. Interment will be made in the church cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Christ Reformed Church, POB 333, Middletown, MD 21769 or to the American Cancer Society/ www.cancer.org
Donald B. Thompson Funeral Home, Middletown, is in charge of arrangements.