Beal Foster Austin

Beal Foster Austin, 82, passed away at his home unexpectedly June 21, 2010 of a heart attack. Funeral services will be held at 11 am Tuesday, June 29, 2010 at Hamilton’s Funeral Home, 605 Lyon Street, followed by burial at Iowa Veterans Cemetery. The family will greet friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.

Beal was born June 13, 1928 in Newton, IA to Alfred and Bertha Austin. He attended East High School and served in the U.S. Navy. He married Leota Arlene Carter of Manning, IA on September 22, 1951. Beal retired from Meredith Publishing after 31 years of service. He was an avid bicycle rider, rode in Ragbrai several times and was a member of a Bicycle Club. He enjoyed genealogy, bluegrass and country music. Beal played a “mean” harmonica and mouth harp. He also enjoyed fishing, hunting, gardening and cowboy movies and he was an animal lover, especially dogs. Beal had various collections and was an excellent chair weaver. He loved spending time with his family and friends and he knew no strangers. Beal will be remembered as a kind and caring man who was lovingly devoted to the care and the needs of his wife.

Beal is survived by his wife Leota of 58 years; children, Steven Austin, Sr., Laura (Jeff) Fairman and Diane (Dan) Folkers; sisters, Elizabeth Warner and Violet (Phil) Berry; grandchildren, Angel (Chris) Hesseltine, Steve (Jennifer) Austin, Jr., Terri (Stephen) Storm, Brandi (Eddie) Fairman-Dittmer, Shawna (Vince) Madonia and Dustin Folkers; 11 great-grandchildren; A special friend of Beal and Leota, Mike Winefeldt and many other extended relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, a sister, a daughter-in-law, and a granddaughter.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the family.

www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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