Submitted by: Dan Rich
July 15, 1933 - March 28, 2008
South Bend Tribune 3/31/2008
SOUTH BEND - John Downs Austgen, 74, died Friday, March
28. The son of Harold and Florence Downs Austgen, he was born in
Hammond and graduated from Bishop Noll High School and the Loyola
University (Chicago) School of Dentistry. He practiced dentistry
in Hammond with his father before opening an office in South Bend
in 1968.
In 1969 he married the former Helen Green.
Dr. Austgen was a longtime member of St. Anthony de Padua
Catholic Church and a volunteer for Right to Life of St. Joseph
County. He was an avid reader and wrote on a variety of subjects.
He also enjoyed food, travel, antiques, and caring for many
unique plants in his yard. A loving grandfather, he especially
enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. Dr. Austgen is
survived by his wife of 38 years; three daughters, Charlotte Corkery
(Hugh) of Auburn, CA, Suzanne Lamb (Steve) of Central
City, KY, and Jean Gierbolini (Clive) of Corning, NY;
seven grandchildren, Matthew and Daniel Corkery, John Thomas,
Hadley and Nash Lamb, Alexander and Benjamin Gierbolini; four
sisters, Mary Ruth Stegman of Ft. Myers, FL, Jane Austgen
of Omaha, NE, Suzanne Hanley of Madison, CT, and Margaret Pfau
of Old Saybrook, CT; and a brother, Martin Austgen of Redondo
Beach, CA. He was preceded in death by another brother, Harold
Peter Austgen Jr.
Visitation will be today (Monday) from 4 to
8 p.m. in the McGann Hay, Forest G. Hay Chapel, at 435 South
Ironwood at Jefferson. A Rosary will be said at 4 p.m. A funeral
Mass will take place at 10 a.m. Tuesday in St. Anthony de Padua
Catholic Church, with burial following at Cedar Grove Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the
Women's Care Center or to the Center for Hospice and Palliative
Care.