Val Middleton, Beloved At Marian Catholic, Dies

CHICAGO HEIGHTS, IL — Val Middleton, a Marian Catholic Hall-of-Famer who managed the concession stands at games for several years, died earlier this week on Oct. 27. She was the mother of four men who attended the school and played multiple sports including current Marian Catholic Head Football Coach Erick Middleton.

Marian Catholic Athletic Director Kevin Kelly said the Middleton family is known for their dedication and work ethic, and "it's obvious a lot of that came from Val."

"Valerie epitomizes the spirit of Marian Catholic," Kelly said. "While always very content to take a quiet role and never desire the forefront, Val made visiting Marian Catholic a special experience for guests and was well-loved by so many Marian athletes and families for her hospitality and examples of dedication."

Middleton managed the concession stands, both indoor and outdoor at Marian Catholic, for several years. Kelly said she was also the hostess for the school's athletic awards for a number of years years too and described her as "a devoted and reliable parent and alumni parent in contributing to concessions and many other areas for a long, long time."

Last December, the school's concession stands were renamed the "Val Middleton Concession Stands."

“I think what my wife felt is that these kids are entitled to refreshments. Their parents too, because they are there supporting their children,” Drew Middleton, Val's husband, said in a Marian Matters article on Val Middleton winning the 2016 Spirit of Marian award. “Over the years, Val has expanded the stand and made it into something that people look forward to.”

“I just enjoy being around the school and being around the kids and the faculty,” Val said in the same article. “It’s uplifting. It’s just a fun place to be.”

Funeral arrangements for Val Middleton had not been set as of Tuesday night.