Mary Lou Austin

Mary Lou Austin, née Kuntz, age 92 passed away peacefully on January 26, 2025 with her loved ones surrounding her. She devoted her life to loving and caring for her family. For over sixty years, she was a faithful wife to husband Gene Austin, Sr. who had been her high school sweetheart. She was a gentle and loving mother to her three children. Mary Lou was also a special sister, Aunt and friend, later becoming “Nannie” to her beloved grandchildren. She was the youngest of six children born to Charlotte Kuntz, née Beaty and George Kuntz, Sr. and their only daughter. She enjoyed a close connection with her five brothers for their entire lives. During the 1940’s, ten-year-old Mary worried and prayed alongside her parents as four of her brothers went to war. Through the Grace of God, they all returned safely and began to build and operate a prominent Dayton Ohio business, The Miami Cigar and Tobacco Company. With the guidance of founders, George Kuntz, Sr. and his brother Henry, Mary’s five brothers together with her husband, Gene Sr. operated the business successfully for over five decades. Mary was a survivor. Her faith, determination and very challenging medical intervention brought her through a diagnosis of 4th stage breast cancer in 1992.

She is proceeded in death by her beloved parents, George Sr. and Charlotte, her husband Gene, her brothers, Jim, George II, John, Tom and Charley, all her sisters in law and several of her beloved nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, February 4th from 5-8pm at Tobias Funeral Home in Beavercreek. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, February 5th at 10 a.m. at St. Brigid Catholic Church in Xenia. Internment at Calvary Cemetery. There will be a reception following the burial at Tobias Funeral Home in Beavercreek. Donations may be made to Day City Hospice.