Bert Francis Austin

Bert Francis Austin, son of the late E.S. “Bill” and Lou Etta (Grimes) Austin, was born on March 15, 1918 in Rayborn, Missouri and departed this life on December 6, 2009 in the St. Luke’s Northland Hospital in Smithville, Missouri. He was 91 years, 8 months and 22 days of age.
Bert grew up in the Rayborn area and graduated from Hartville High School and SMS College in Springfield. He was united in marriage to Erma Royster on October 7, 1939. One son, Evon, was born to this union on October 17, 1940.
Bert attended college while teaching and working on the farm. He received his degree in 1959. He taught thirty-three terms of school, three of which he had his son as a student. He taught twenty-eight years for the Hartville School District.
Bert and Erma left Wright County in April of 1995, when they moved to Smithville, Missouri to be closer to their family. Erma passed away on February 18, 2002. Bert had made his home with his son and family for the past six and half years. He fell and broke his hip on October 27, 2009 and was at the Golden Living Center for rehabilitation.
Bert earned the respect and love of his co-workers, neighbors, and friends because of his honesty, his willingness to help those in need, and the love and care he gave his family. Those in the community knew he would be there to help in a time of need. He loved teaching and was especially proud when he was able to help students who had fallen behind in their learning. He spent extra hours helping those that wanted to learn. He was a hard worker and took great pride in his wood cutting skills.
Besides his parents and his wife, he was preceded in death by a brother: Farris; and by a sister: Mabel.
He is survived by his son and daughter-in-law: Evon and Joann Austin of Smithville, Missouri; two grandchildren: Scott Austin and his spouse of Kansas City, and Janet Brooks and her spouse of Smithville, Missouri; seven great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; one brother: Joe Austin of Green Forest, Arkansas; one sister: Betty Jean Rippee of Mtn. Grove; three nephews; and a host of other relatives and friends who will greatly miss him.


Funeral Services:
Monday, December 14, 2:00 PM in the Craig-Hurtt Chapel.
Visitation:
1:00 PM to 2:00 PM Monday before the service in the chapel.

Burial:
Hillcrest Cemetery