Charlene Austin (Hartville)'s Obituary
Charlene Faye Austin, daughter of Jess and Grace O’Dell McNealy, was born on June 30, 1922 in Hartville, Missouri. She was called into the Lord’s loving arms late Thursday evening at the Hartville Care Center, at the age of ninety-five years, one month, and 18 days.
On January 10, 1940, she was united in marriage with Virgle Austin and to this union two loving sons were born.
Charlene is preceded in death by her parents, Jess and Grace McNealy; her loving husband, Virgle; three sisters, Ailene Lemons, Lorene Plaster, and Imogene Henslee; two brothers, Dennis and Ray McNealy.
She is survived by her two sons, Roger Austin and his wife Angela of Hartville, Missouri and Steven Austin and his wife Joan, of Springfield, Missouri; five grandchildren, Stephanie Burch and her husband Justin, John Schaefer, Shawn Austin and his wife Ashley, Rocky Austin, and Dusti McCleary and her husband Jackie; ten great-grandchildren, Bailey and her husband Michael, Macy, Ethan, Grace, Jude, Quinn, Chloe, Gabi, Miley, and Ari; two brothers-in-law, Darrell Henslee of Springfield, Missouri and Billy Joe Austin of Mountain Grove, Missouri; a sister-in-law, Sharon McNealy, of Mansfield; many nieces, nephews, and caring friends.
Charlene was born and raised in Hartville, Missouri. She attended school at the Crawford and Durbin school houses while she was still young. When she came of age she met Virgle at a music party, some say Virgle swept her off her feet. The young couple would soon get married in January of 1940. Shortly after, Virgle and Charlene moved to a small town just east of San Diego. While they were there, Virgle drove a truck up and down the coast line and Charlene worked on airplanes. Before their two kids were born they moved back to Missouri and lived in Lebanon for a while. While they were there, Charlene worked as a waitress at the Belle Restaurant.
Eventually Virgle and Charlene made it back into Wright county and settled down to have their two loving sons. Charlene decided that raising her family would be her top priority. Charlene loved to read, she read the newspapers front to back every morning. She also loved to cook, especially when it was to feed her family. But, most of all, Charlene loved taking care of family. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend. We celebrate her wonderful life and will cherish the many happy memories she created.
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