Reverend Richard Arlen "Dick" Austin, 82, formerly of South Whitley, entered his heavenly home at 4:45 a.m. Friday, October 16, 2020. He was a resident at Miller's Merry Manor, Columbia City.

Born October 10, 1938, in Huntington, Indiana, he was a son of the late Cecil M. and Dorothy J. (Myers) Austin. Growing up in the South Whitley area, he graduated from South Whitley High School in 1956. Continuing his education at Manchester College and Indiana Central College, he became a Master Electrician and an ordained Minister.

On June 14, 1959, he was united in marriage to Corine Ann Crawford. They made their first home in South Whitley, then moving to Fort Wayne, then Massachusetts. Joining the U.S. Army in March of 1961, after his training, the couple moved to Bangkok, Thailand, until 1963, when he received his honorable discharge.

Returning to the states, he became the pastor of the Evangelical United Brethren (EUB) Church in Etna-Green and Harrison Center in Kosciusko County until 1968 when they moved to Indianapolis for further education. He concurrently pastored at Brethren Church in Mellott for two years. Moving back to Warsaw, in addition to his pastoral duties, he worked as an electrician for Romine Electric, Mentone, and the Dalton Foundry, Warsaw. In 1985, he went to work for the State Development Center in the maintenance department. In 1989, he became the full-time pastor at the Meadowcrest Brethren Church on St. Joe Road in Fort Wayne until his retirement in 2007.

With his caring and pleasant personality, he mentored many as he brought joy and understanding of the Lord Jesus Christ to their daily lives.

An avid reader, he enjoyed non-fiction books and, of course, his Bible. Through the years, he delighted in raising flowers, carefully tending them through the growing season. He had a passion for morel mushrooms, not only hunting for them but growing them with starter plugs. He always liked a day fishing.

He is survived by the love of his life and wife of 61 years, Corine; a daughter, Mary Jo Austin of Fort Wayne; grandchildren, Brice Austin, Brock Austin, Zachary (Alecia) Austin, Travis Austin, and Peyton Austin; seven great-grandchildren; three brothers, David Austin of South Whitley, Larry (Sharon) Austin of Newburgh, and Steve (Sarah) Austin, of Florida and a sister, Sharon Murray of Fort Wayne.

He was preceded in death by two sons, James Allen Austin and James W. "Jimmy" Austin, and a daughter, Deborah June Austin.

A memorial service is 2 p.m. Saturday, November 7th at Smith & Sons Miller Chapel, South Whitley, with the burial to follow at the South Whitley Cemetery. Visitation is from noon until the service Saturday at the funeral home. Masks required.

Preferred memorials are the Collamer Christian Church.