DONALD O. AUSTIN

Monday, July 23, 2007

Donald O. Austin, 74, of Pittsburg, Kan., died at 3:35 a.m., Sunday, July 22, 2007 at Sunset Manor Nursing Home in Frontenac, Kan.

Donald was born Nov. 26, 1932 in Hume, Mo., to Rufus and Ruby (Overton) Austin. He attended area schools, graduating from Pittsburg High School with the class of 1951.

On April 14, 1956 in Pittsburg, Kan., he married Virginia (Jeanie) Hitchcock. She preceded him in death on Dec. 13, 2001.

Donald was the superintendent of the Water and Sewage Department, for the City of Pittsburg, for 33 years, retiring in 1995.

Donald devoted his life to taking care of his ailing wife Virginia (Jeanie). Donald belonged to the Pittsburg RC Club; AARP and the AWWA (American Water Works Assoc. of Kansas). He enjoyed photography, collectibles, traveling, motorcycles, cars and building and flying RC airplanes.

Survivors include his daughters Debra Varner and her husband Chris of Ft. Scott, Kan.; Becky Austin-Lacey of Pittsburg, Kan. and son Don W. Austin of Pittsburg, Kan.; brother Carl Austin; along with 3 grandchildren, Courtnie Williams and her husband Landon of Franklin, Kan., Kim Miller of St. Louis, Mo., and Mia Gardner and her husband Jonathan of Lawrence, Kan.

Donald was preceded in death by his parents.

Graveside services will be 10 a.m., Tuesday, July 24, 2007 at Garden of Memories Cemetery in rural Pittsburg with Rev. Dennis Johnson officiating. Family and friends are requested to meet at the cemetery on Tuesday. The family will be at the home of Lula Seaman (Virginia's Mother), 1017 East 13th St. in Pittsburg. The family will receive friends from 6:30-8 p.m. on Monday at the funeral home. Friends may call the funeral home after 4 p.m. on Monday. E-mail condolences may be left at our Web site www.bathnaylor.com. Arrangements and services are under the direction of Bath-Naylor Funeral Home of Pittsburg.