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April 18, 2024
Dwight Harry Austin, 78, Woodstock, died Thursday, June 20, 2013, at home surrounded by his loving family.
He was born Dec. 29, 1934, in Woodstock to Columbus and Edna (Hill) Austin.
On July 14, 1956, he married Lucille Wakeley in Woodstock.
He and his children attended the First United Methodist Church, Woodstock.
For the past 10 years, he and his wife were members of the First United Methodist Church, Harvard.
He was raised on his family’s farm in Woodstock. After high school graduation, he began his own farming operation, which included dairy cows and beef cattle. In the late 1960s, he began working for the McHenry County Highway Department and continued for 22 years. During this time, he also operated a small grain farm, growing corn, oats, wheat and hay. After his retirement from the highway department, he continued to farm.
Throughout his retirement, he also enjoyed restoring antique tractors. He proudly drove some of the restored tractors on occasions such as the Harvard Milk Days parade or the Sycamore Steam Power Show, usually with a grandchild on his lap.
He also served for more than 20 years as president of the board and sexton for Oakland Cemetery, Woodstock. As a descendant of some of McHenry County’s founders, he was proud of his heritage and enjoyed the link between the cemetery and area history.
Survivors include his wife; daughter, Jill Austin, Phoenix; three sons, Ronald (Kimberly) Austin, Wheaton, Christopher (Tamara) Austin, Harvard, and Jeffrey (Linda) Austin, Harvard; 10 grandchildren, Daniel and Thomas Libbey, Lucas, Claire, and Leah Austin, Kayla and Levi Austin, Daphne, Catherine, and Steven Austin; a sister-in-law, Lynn Austin; and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson, Andrew Austin; a brother, Robert Austin; and three sisters, Ellen Meinert, Carol Goers and Suretha Archer.
Visitation was June 24 and 25 at Schneider-Leucht-Merwin & Cooney Funeral Home, Woodstock.
The funeral was June 25 at First United Methodist Church, Harvard.
Burial was at Oakland Cemetery, Woodstock.
Memorials can be sent to First United Methodist Church of Harvard, 1100 N. Division St., Harvard, IL 60033 or to JourneyCare Hospice, 405 Lake Zurich Road, Barrington, IL 60010.
