Richard Austin

MENDON, Ill. -- Richard "Dick" Kent Austin, 78, of rural Mendon, passed away Friday (Nov. 29, 2013) in Blessing Hospital.

He was born Sept. 12, 1935, in Quincy, to William B. and Naomi Eshom Austin. He married Naomi Erke Oct. 21, 1956. She survives.

Richard was a salesman for Moorman Mfg. Company for 30 years and was proud to be a Moorman Man.

Richard was an active member of Zion Church in Ursa, where he served on the church council, Lord's Acre committee, and was a member of the Kum Join Us Class. He was trustee of Mendon Township for eight years and served as supervisor for 16 years. He was a member of Mendon Masonic Lodge 449 AF and AM, Quincy Consistory, Ansar Shrine and Moose Lodge.

He enjoyed hunting and trap shooting. He was always interested in farming and raised black Angus cattle.

As a high school student, he represented Unity High as lead trumpeter in the National FFA Band.

He was proud of and cherished his daughters and their families.

He is survived by his wife, Naomi; three daughters, Lynn (Dirk) Rice of Philo, Beth (Kenny) Sumrall of Katy, Texas, and Carolyn (Karl) Toepke of Quincy; grandchildren, Amanda, Matthew and Ashley Rice, Austin Sumrall, and Savannah and Nikolaus Toepke; and a sister-in-law, Juanita Austin of Hutchinson, Kan.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Marvin Austin.

SERVICES: 10 a.m. Tuesday in Zion United Church of Christ in Ursa with the Rev. Keela Neumann conducting. Interment will be in Mendon Cemetery.

VISITATION: 4-7 p.m. Monday in the Hunter Funeral Home in Mendon. A Masonic service will be held at 7 p.m. by the Mendon Masonic Lodge 449.

MEMORIALS: Zion United Church of Christ or the Shriner's Crippled Children's Hospital.

ARRANGEMENTS: Hunter Funeral Home.

WEBSITE: www.hunterfh.com.

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