Paul R. Austin, Jr.

Paul R. Austin, Jr., 86, a lifelong resident of Springfield, passed into family memory at 3:10 p.m. on Saturday, December 31, 2016 at St. John's Hospital. Paul was born on January 13, 1930 in Springfield, the son of Paul and Margaret Stoffel Austin. He married Wilma Jean Hall on May 4th, 1957. Paul proudly served his country in the Naval Services on the USS Rush. He worked at Pillsbury Mills for 43 years prior to his retirement. Paul was a man of boundless energy and a love of all things mechanical. He could almost always be found tinkering on a project. As an avid outdoorsman he loved fishing, hunting, trapping, and was a well-known fixture on the south fork of the Sangamon River. Paul also enjoyed watching NASCAR and renovating old tractors. He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, David Austin; brothers, Tom and Bob Austin; and sister, Dorothy Hill. He is survived by his loving wife, Jean Austin of Springfield; two sons, Steven (wife, Melissa) Austin of Springfield and Randy (partner, Michael Blair) Austin of Kissimmee, FL; beloved daughter, Chrysan Austin of Springfield; four grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter. Visitation: Family will receive friends from 10:30 until 11:15 a.m. on Friday, January 6, 2017 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Funeral Ceremony: 11:30 a.m. on Friday, January 6, 2017 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home with Celebrant Judy Woerner officiating. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery.