John Luther Austrew, 90, a life long servant of God who loved sports and family died on Thursday, October 1 in Spring Hill, Florida.
Born June 18, 1919 in Evansville, Indiana to John L. Austrew and Rosa May Russell Austrew. The youngest of 10, he was predeceased by his siblings Hazel, Edward, Nellie, Mabel, Lillian, Sadie Lee, Ruth, Klinger, and Fred Austrew.
A spunky joke-teller, John devoted his life to Christ through service to the church and community and devotion to his family and friends.
John’s Grandfather, George Washington Austrew, was born at sea and arrived in the U.S. from Germany in the early 19th century. George Washington Austrew established a prosperous coalmine in Evansville, later to become the Crescent Coal Company.
John left home at a young age after his Father’s death to become a Crew Chief of a traveling magazine subscription company. Here he met his first wife Margaret Nemeth, one of the best saleswomen in the company. John and Margaret moved constantly spending the late 1940’s in Chicago, IL.
During World War II John worked riveting airplanes and tanks. After the war he returned to sales as a route coffee salesman and manager for the Cook Coffee Company.
John became a pitcher for the Toledo Mud Hens, a minor league baseball team, until an injured shoulder forced him to switch to softball. Thereafter softball became his passion. He also enjoyed golfing and billiards, spending time with family, and teaching his sons sports. John often coached their teams.
In Toledo, John began selling insurance for the independent firm Picton-Cavanaugh and raising his family. John became an active Church Elder of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, and proved to be a valued employee and a senior sales representative for Picton-Cavanaugh until his retirement.
Retired, John and Margaret moved to Spring Hill, Florida to enjoy their later years. He enjoyed playing cards, church events and activities and replaced his beloved softball glove for a set of golf clubs. In 1997 Margaret Austrew passed away.
In 1998 John married his current wife Ethel. Devoting more of his time and energy to serving the Lord with the congregation of Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Spring Hill.
He is survived by his wife Ethel of 11 years, two sons: John-Paul Austrew and wife Ellen Austrew of Addison, TX, Terry Phillip Austrew and wife Mary Anna Austrew of Raymond, NH. Grandchildren: Zachary Ives Austrew of TX, Eric David Austrew of MA, Neva Marita Cole of NH. Great-grandson Miles Wilson Austrew, and close family friends Sally E. Austrew of TX, and Jennifer ?? of FL.
A graveside service will be held the morning of Saturday, October 10.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Spring Hill, FL.
