Jan Lee Austin

Austin, Jan (Dorrough) of Washington Township went to be with our Lord on August 13, 2025. She was born June 5, 1959, in Xenia, Ohio. She was a wonderful wife, mother, sister, aunt, great-aunt and “Mimi” (to grand-dog, Gracie). She was our best friend, life of the party and light of our lives and will be missed beyond measure. She was always thinking of others and donating her time, money and energy to make an impact on those that she loved or even complete strangers.

She leaves behind her devoted husband of 43 years, John Austin and daughter, Jessica Austin; brother, Scot Dorrough (Susan) of Destin, Florida; niece, Taylor Madison (Jeff) of Destin, Florida; nephew Hunter of Destin Florida; niece, Michelle Drees (Dave) and great-nephew, Malcolm of Greenville, and many cousins, extended family, and friends who were so lucky to have her in their lives. Jan is preceded in death by her father and mother, George and Betty Joan Dorrough, and sister Brenda Bettler (John). We know their reunion in heaven was spectacular.

Jan was a proud graduate of the Fairborn Park Hills class of 1977 and loved spending time with her classmates and was part of the reunion planning committee. The “Queens” of Park Hills were some of her closest friends and she loved getting together with them to shop and travel. Jan also graduated from Wright State University with an undergraduate degree in communications and a Master’s degree from Antioch University in business. Jan retired as the director of the Wright State Department of Surgery before starting up her own travel company, Bee on the Go Travel, where she met amazing people and got to visit wonderful places. In 2018, Jan joined John as a realtor for Irongate Realtors. Jan loved helping people find homes they loved. She was an active member and former Dayton Alumnae president of Alpha Xi Delta sorority. Jan was a member of The Gathering church where she dedicated her Sunday mornings to taking care of God’s smallest miracles in the nursery. Her love and service for Jesus was always apparent in her actions and kind words. Jan wanted everyone to know she was a Christ-follower and would share her testimony and spirituality with others. She knew when God called her home she would be greeted by Him at the gates of heaven. Jan loved the beach, finding good bargains and couponing while shopping, and spending time in her backyard pool which she called her “little bit of paradise”. She loved cooking for others and was always working in her “restaurant” AKA her kitchen to provide meals. Making food was her love language and way of showing that she cared. Whether you were sick, sad, or just needed a pick-me-up, she was always willing to provide you with a hot meal or home-baked goods.

Viewing will be held on Thursday, August 21 from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. and funeral services to celebrate her life will be held on Friday, August 22 at 12:00 p.m both at The Gathering (8911 Yankee St, Centerville, OH 45458) with Pastor David Rudd presiding. Burial will take place at David's Cemetery immediately following. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Gathering children’s ministry where Jan dedicated sharing her love of Jesus with little ones. (8911 Yankee St, Centerville, OH 45458).