O. Elaine Austin

O. Elaine Austin, age 96, of Lake Odessa has been called to her Heavenly home on April 6, 2015. Elaine was born the oldest daughter of Arlow and Mildred (Leak) Aves on June 3, 1918. On September 28, 1940 she married Orrin Charles Austin in double ceremony in Kentucky; he preceded her in death along with sisters Marjorie Swiler and Christine Towner. Elaine is survived by her children: Phillip Austin, Rodger Austin and Dolores (John) Wooden, foster daughter Joanne (Jerry) Hyland, 7 grandchildren 12 great grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren and sister Norma Bever. Elaine graduated in 1937 from Lake Odessa High School and she was in the first girls' basketball team. After graduation she worked in Grand Rapids for a family and would catch the train from the Lake Odessa depot. She was fortunate to work for a pilot and was able to ride in his open cockpit plane for return flights. Elaine was also one of the many people that worked at the canning factory in Lake Odessa. After living in the Mt. Clemens area of Detroit during WWII they moved to East Sebewa Corners and purchased the store which they ran for 10 years. Elaine has attended the Baptist Church in Sebewa since she was a child growing up at the Lapo farm. Her passions were growing strawberries and the Detroit Tigers. Visitation is planned for Friday, April 10, 2015 at Koops Funeral Chapel, 935 4th Ave., Lake Odessa, MI from 6pm until 8pm. A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, April 11, 2015 at 11:00am at the Sebewa Baptist Church, 13010 S. Goddard Rd, Lake Odessa, MI. Interment will follow at the West Sebewa Cemetery. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Baptist Church in Sebewa. Online condolences may be left for the family www.koopsfc.com Visitation Friday, April 10 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM Koops Funeral Chapel 935 4th Ave Lake Odessa, MI (616) 374-8221 Celebration of Life Saturday, April 11 11:00 AM Sebewa Baptist Church 13010 S. Goddard Rd Lake Odessa, MI (616) 374-7103