David N. Austin, 93, Delavan, recently of Sylvan Crossings on Hunters Ridge, Beaver Dam, passed away Feb. 25. He was born in Janesville Oct. 27, 1919, to the late Wilbur and Beatrice (Whitney) Austin. He graduated from Janesville High School in 1936 and attended the University of Wisconsin Agricultural Short Course in 1939. He was employed as a milk tester for 30 farmers under the auspices of the Rock County Milking Shorthorn Association.
Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor Dec. 7, 1941, David enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He served in the South Pacific War Theater until 1944, as a Sergeant and a Gun Captain of an anti-aircraft crew. While on furlough back in the states he married Margaret Sturtevant May 9, 1945 at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. The following day he found himself unexpectedly placed in an overseas draft and was ordered to board a troop train bound for California and deployment back to the war front. While on ship heading for Okinawa, the war ended with the bombing of Nagasaki and Hiroshima. The build up for the planned invasion of Japan was ended.
He was discharged from the service and for the next 15 years operated a dairy farm west of Delavan along with Margaret’s father. In the meantime, he commuted to Milwaukee Area Technical College with his brother, Bill, to study photography, which had been a life-long hobby.
In 1962, he and his wife sold the farm and moved to Delavan where he opened Austin Studio. During the next 22 years he took family photos, high school graduation and wedding photos and won many awards for excellence from the National Photographers Association for his photographs. He sold the studio and retired in 1984.
David was a life-long gardener. He loved to share his strawberries, tomatoes and other vegetables with family and friends. He was an avid hunter of deer and grouse and always looked forward to spending time with his son and hunting buddies up north.
He was a daily member of the “coffee crew” at the Travelers Restaurant and later the Family Restaurant in Delavan. He was an active member of the United Methodist Church, a volunteer for Meals on Wheels and a mentor helping elementary pupils at Wileman School. He was past president of the Delavan Rotary Club as well as the Delavan Kiwanis Club.
He was further preceded in death by his wife, Margaret; daughter, Mary Austin Meeuwsen and brothers, Wilbur and Robert.
He is survived by his son, David Robert of Columbus; grandchildren, Laura (Alex) Hoekstra of Waupun and Joshua (Mindy) of Columbus; great-grandchildren, Mackenzie and Brock Hoekstra and Spencer, Lexi and Lilly; sister, Jo (John) Draeger; brother, John (Annette) and many nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.
A memorial service will be 11 a.m. March 1 at the United Methodist Church of Delavan, with the Rev. Stan Curtis officiating.
Memorials may be directed to the UW Carbon Cancer Center, 600 Highland Ave. Madison, WI 53792.
Monroe Funeral Home in Delavan is assisting the family. Visit monroefh.com.
David N. Austin, 93, Delavan, recently of Sylvan Crossings on Hunters Ridge, Beaver Dam, passed away Feb. 25. He was born in Janesville Oct. 27, 1919, to the late Wilbur and Beatrice (Whitney) Austin. He graduated from Janesville High School in 1936 and attended the University of Wisconsin Agricultural Short Course in 1939. He was employed as a milk tester for 30 farmers under the auspices of the Rock County Milking Shorthorn Association.
Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor Dec. 7, 1941, David enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He served in the South Pacific War Theater until 1944, as a Sergeant and a Gun Captain of an anti-aircraft crew. While on furlough back in the states he married Margaret Sturtevant May 9, 1945 at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. The following day he found himself unexpectedly placed in an overseas draft and was ordered to board a troop train bound for California and deployment back to the war front. While on ship heading for Okinawa, the war ended with the bombing of Nagasaki and Hiroshima. The build up for the planned invasion of Japan was ended.
He was discharged from the service and for the next 15 years operated a dairy farm west of Delavan along with Margaret’s father. In the meantime, he commuted to Milwaukee Area Technical College with his brother, Bill, to study photography, which had been a life-long hobby.
In 1962, he and his wife sold the farm and moved to Delavan where he opened Austin Studio. During the next 22 years he took family photos, high school graduation and wedding photos and won many awards for excellence from the National Photographers Association for his photographs. He sold the studio and retired in 1984.
David was a life-long gardener. He loved to share his strawberries, tomatoes and other vegetables with family and friends. He was an avid hunter of deer and grouse and always looked forward to spending time with his son and hunting buddies up north.
He was a daily member of the “coffee crew” at the Travelers Restaurant and later the Family Restaurant in Delavan. He was an active member of the United Methodist Church, a volunteer for Meals on Wheels and a mentor helping elementary pupils at Wileman School. He was past president of the Delavan Rotary Club as well as the Delavan Kiwanis Club.
He was further preceded in death by his wife, Margaret; daughter, Mary Austin Meeuwsen and brothers, Wilbur and Robert.
He is survived by his son, David Robert of Columbus; grandchildren, Laura (Alex) Hoekstra of Waupun and Joshua (Mindy) of Columbus; great-grandchildren, Mackenzie and Brock Hoekstra and Spencer, Lexi and Lilly; sister, Jo (John) Draeger; brother, John (Annette) and many nieces, nephews and cousins also survive.
A memorial service will be 11 a.m. March 1 at the United Methodist Church of Delavan, with the Rev. Stan Curtis officiating.
Memorials may be directed to the UW Carbon Cancer Center, 600 Highland Ave. Madison, WI 53792.
Monroe Funeral Home in Delavan is assisting the family. Visit monroefh.com.
