"God giveth and taketh away." Some are plucked
in their early youth, but Dr. Malechi Austin was left until the
late evening of life.
He was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Austin and came into this
life near Rock, Illinois, December 28, 1868, leaving it December
17, 1939. If he had lived until December 28, he would have been
71 years old.
He was married to Dora Waters January 2, 1892 and to this union
were born four sons and one daughter, Phil of Carbondale; Shannon
of Detroit; Mrs. Effie Ogden of E. St. Louis, with whom he lived
at his passing; Ernie and Pleas, who preceded him to the Great
Beyond.
He was reared on a farm, a member of nine children. In his early
life he became interested in veterinary work and chose that and
farming as a life occupation having graduated as veterinary from
Champaign College. He was both successful and happy in his profession.
In his last days he expressed a desire to be baptized in the pool,
Haskin near Rock, saying it was the loveliest place on earth to
him.
He leaves to mourn his passing three grandchildren, Phyllis Ogden,
Phyllis Ann Austin and Shannon Lee Austin. One grandchild, Dora
Francis preceded him in death. He also leaves one brother, Milo,
of Rock and four sisters, Mrs. Anna Harper, Robbs; Mrs. John Story,
Glendale; Mrs. Minnie Holt, McCleanboro; and Mrs. Stells Bateman
of Chicago. Shade, Julia and Missouri precede him in death.
Funeral services were conducted by Rev. Jack Steagall of Ozark
and interment was made in the Mt. Zion cemetery beside his mother.
The pallbearers were: Fred, Edd and Harry Harper, Raymond Rector,
Joe Davidson and Haskell Boaz.