Donald “Blackie” AUSTIN Sr., age 80 of Lawrenceburg TN, passed away Monday, February 27, 2012 at Maury Regional Medical Center in Columbia Tennessee.

Blackie was born August 30, 1931 in Greenville MS to the late Curtis Austin and Margaret Wilke Austin Harlan. His family relocated to Mundelein Illinois in 1948, where he was a 1949 graduate of Libertyville High School. Blackie served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and was awarded a National Defense Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Purple Heart with Cluster; Korean Service Ribbon with three Bronze Service Stars, and a Bronze Star with V.

Mr. Austin was a lifetime member of the VFW organization, serving as Post 7101 Commander in Mundelein IL. and Post 1816 in Lawrenceburg. He was a very proud captain of the Honor Guard in Lawrence County TN for a number of years. Blackie was a 32nd Mason, a Shriner, and member of the American Legion Post 146 in Loretto TN.

One of his greatest joys in life was antique cars and he was a member of The Lawrenceburg Classic Car Club. Mr. Austin was a great gentleman and extremely generous friend.
He is survived by his beloved wife Carole Austin, Lawrenceburg TN; three daughters: Holli DeVon and Al, Libertyville, IL; Venessa Currier; Hainesville IL; and Donna Byrd, Mundelein IL; son Donald E. Austin Jr. and Kristine, Libertyville IL; brother Burtis “Mutt” Harlan, and Jane, Lawrenceburg TN; and two sisters, Peggy Giles, Mundelein IL; and Ruth Ann Markle, Lawrenceburg TN. He derived great pleasure from his nine grandchildren: Brenda, Erica, Michael, Paul, Meaghan, Stephanie, Philip, Zackary, and Madelyn who will miss their “Big Daddy” tremendously. Several great-grandchildren, nephews and nieces also survive.

Funeral services for Donald “Blackie” Austin, Sr., were conducted at Neal Funeral Home at 11:00 AM Thursday, March 01, 2012, with Wayne Martin Officiating. Military honors followed in the Lawrence County Memorial Gardens. Visitation in Illinois was Sunday, March 4 at Kristan Funeral Home in Mundelein, and funeral services were Monday, March 5, 2012. Interment followed at Diamond Lake Cemetery in Mundelein Illinois. Family requested memorials be made to the Shriners Hospital for children, 2900 Rocky Point Dr., Tampa FL 33607.