Austin Bennett

Services will be Sunday, April 22, 2012 at 3:00 p.m. at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Chariton. Interment will be at the Confidence Cemetery. Family will receive friends prior to the service beginning at 2:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Austin Monroe Bennett was born March 29, 1929 at the family home in Wright, Township, Wayne County, to Lewis Earl and Julia Viola (Buttz) Bennett. He passed away on April 20, 2012 at Legacy Lodge in Chariton, Iowa at the age of 83 years. As a child Austin attended Hickory Ridge Country School until the fifth grade. He then attended Fairview Country School through eighth grade. Austin took two years off from school so he could help on the family farm during World War II. He finished his schooling at Promise City High School graduating at the top of his class in May 1949. After high school he continued working on the family farm. Austin was drafted into the United States Army on January 9, 1952. While serving two years, he graduated from the Food Service School and served as an Army cook. Upon returning to Iowa, Austin farmed until he began attending college at Centerville Community College. Once again he excelled in school graduating at the top of his class. Austin spent the rest of his life living and farming near Promise City, Iowa. He loved farm life and couldn't imagine living in a better place than southern Iowa. Austin enjoyed taking care of his animals and always had a friendly wave for everyone driving by his farm. Austin's second love was gardening. He could grow the tallest tomatoes and everyone remembers his amazing flower garden and rhubarb patch. Every year he would spade his entire garden by hand. He was once asked, 'Why don't you just hook up to your plow and run it through your garden?' Austin's reply was, 'Why would someone do that when they have a perfectly good spade.' That defined Austin... simple, hardworking, and dedicated. That holds true with his faith as well. He had a firm love of the Lord and read his bible diligently. As a child Austin attended Confidence Baptist Church. He accepted the Lord and was baptized in Good Water Creek. He loved listening to gospel music, especially the Gaithers and enjoyed watching messages on television. Psalm 121 was one of his favorite Psalms and he spoke openly about heaven and the need to accept Jesus as our savior. Austin had a remarkable gift for remembering special dates and almost everyone's birthday. Each year he would send numerous birthday cards to friends and family members. Anyone who met Austin considered him a friend. He was special to so many people, but none more so than those who lovingly referred to him as 'Uncle Austin'. He held a special place in so many hearts and will be greatly missed. Austin is preceded in death by his parents, brothers: Richard Dan (1931), Roy LaVern (1985), Ermal Lewis (1998); and sisters: Edna May (1916), Lola Fern (1997), Audrey Evelyn Schultz (2006), and Eliza Elizabeth Chapman (2007). Austin is survived by his brother, Bernard and wife Barbara of Chesapeake, VA; sister-in-law, Mary (Bennett) and husband Rev. Charles Kirtley of Corydon, and numerous nieces, nephews, and friends.