Dorla J Austin

Dorla Jean Austin of Crystal River, FL passed away peacefully at the Citrus VITAS Healthcare for Hospice House on October 19, 2024, just 3 weeks short of her 95th birthday. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great-grandmother. She was born in Fairchance, PA to William Edward Firestone and Lillian Mae Davis on November 9, 1929. She graduated from Georges Township High School 4th in her class, then worked at a Bank in Uniontown, PA for about 5 years, and married her high school sweetheart, O. Vance Austin, on May 19th, 1951, spending the next few years in Weatherford, TX while her husband served in the Army during the Korean War.

Dorla grew up during the Great Depression, a coal miner’s daughter, so money was tight. It took a lot of family and neighborhood cooperation and ingenuity to survive. She was in High School during World War II, so she really appreciated the blessings in life following these difficult times. Eventually, Dorla and Vance moved to Levittown, PA where she raised her two children as a stay-at-home mom, and spent many years volunteering as Secretary and Accountant for the local First Brethren Church, before returning to the workforce for the first time in 25 years in 1978, at 48 years old.

Dorla was preceded in death by her husband Vance of 73 years, by 5 months. Their prayers and wishes were to go together but it didn’t take long for Dorla, grieving with a broken heart, to join him in eternal bliss. She was also preceded in death by both of her parents, her older brothers, Lawrence Edward Firestone and Ralph Clifton Firestone, and a son who did not survive the trauma of childbirth, Jeffrey Vance Austin.

Dorla is survived by her two children, Terry Vance Austin (Eileen) and Lynne Ann Krotz, four grandchildren, Kristine Ann Ionescu (George), Douglas George Hetzel (Diana), Rebecca Lynne Austin (Dan), Andrew Vance Austin (Jennifer), five Great-Grandchildren, Gavin Douglas Hetzel (Julia), Conner Joseph Ionescu, Shawn Robert Ionescu, Ryan George Ionescu, Trent Michael-Vance Austin, and one Great-Great-Grandchild, Rhea Jane Hetzel.

After her children moved on to begin their life’s journey, Dorla returned to the workforce as an analyst and ultimately an assistant supervisor at Educational Testing Service (ETS) for nearly 14 years, before eventually retiring and moving to Crystal River, FL in 1991, where she took up the game of golf at the age of 62. She and Vance played at the Plantation Inn Golf Course for over 20 years. She loved playing in the Sunday afternoon couples’ games and met many great friends there.

Dorla certainly lived a full and rewarding life, beginning with a childhood in near poverty, years she treasured and would never change, followed by a prosperous adulthood created by her generational hard and dedicated work ethic. She was always available to help anyone in need, 24/7. She never met a stranger and was a cherished friend to everyone she knew. Family and friends are requested to take a moment to reflect on their relationship with Dorla and thank the Good Lord for the fond memories they may recall. She had a very strong faith in God and we’re sure the Lord will receive her with open arms, re-uniting her with her husband Vance in heaven.

Services entrusted to Fero Funeral Home and Life Celebration Center, Beverly Hills, FL

www.ferofuneralhome.com