Robert Darwin Austin

AUSTIN, Robert Darwin, age 89, of Flint Twp, died Wednesday, January 21, 2004 at Genesys Health Park. Funeral Services will be 1:00 PM Monday, January 26, 2004 at Sharp Funeral Homes, Miller Road Chapel, Swartz Creek, Bishop Carl Pangerl, officiating.  Interment at Flint Memorial Park, Mt. Morris.  Visitation will be 5-9 PM Saturday and 1-4 PM and 6-9 PM Sunday at the funeral home.  Those desiring may make contributions to the Robert D. Austin memorial fund.  Mr. Austin was born May 10, 1914 in Ovid, MI, the son of Darwin S. and Ida (Schraeder) Austin.  He married Viola May Fairchild on August 23, 1937 in Corunna and she preceded him in death on April 6, 1996.  He retired from the Chevrolet V-8 engine plant in 1980 after 42 years of service as a cutter grinder in skilled trades and was an original participant in the Sit Down Strike.  He was a member of the Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for many years and was an avid coin collector.  Mr. Austin is survived by daughters; Shirley Crow and husband George of Swartz Creek, Alice Hollister and husband Clayton of Clio, June Austin of Flint, Darwina Austin of Flint; son; Robert Darwin Stephen Austin and wife Darla of Flint; sister in laws; Hazel Austin of Flint, Alice Burhans of Florida; half brother; Jim Meadows of Utah; many grandchildren and great grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by: his parents; daughter, Janice M. Austin; three sisters, Jennie Cunningham, Vera Mitts, and Mildred Burhans; step-brother, Ray, Ralph and Charles Burhans; Darwin S. Austin, Jr., Virgil Joseph Meadows; step sister, Wilda McLoskey. Friends may share their online condolences with the family at www.sharpfuneralhomes.com.