Austin, Dwight C. Dwight Austin, age 86 of Fremont, passed away Wednesday, March 14, 2007 at the Spectrum Health Butterworth Campus in Grand Rapids. Dwight was born on June 5, 1920 in Royal Oak to Joseph Cording and Bessie Irene (Wilson) Austin and later married Dorothy A. Hitchcock on May 9, 1942 in Royal Oak. Dorothy preceded him in death on April 4, 1997. Dwight served in the United States Army and after his discharge, graduated from Michigan State University. Dwight started work as the administrator at the Royal Oak General Hospital and soon moved to Fremont to become the administrator at Gerber Memorial Hospital until his retirement in 1985 after 33 years of service. He was a charter member of Fremont Rotary and served on boards of several non profit organizations and volunteered on various projects within Newaygo County. Dwight was also an active member of the First Congregational Church, United Church of Christ in Fremont. Dwight is survived by his children, Elizabeth Libby (Dave) Cherin of Newaygo; Jim (Gayle) Austin of New Berlin, New York; Tom (Kathy) Austin of Holland; Joe Austin (George) of Muskegon; 6 grandchildren; 7 great grandchildren; his brother, John H. (Velma) Austin of Traverse City; his sister-in-law, Margaret Kotting of Canadian Lakes; 16 nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sisters, Irene Hardesty and Mary Makowski and by his brother, Donald Austin. Memorial services were held on Saturday, March 17, 2007 at the First Congregational United Church of Christ in Fremont with Rev. Ray Dekker presiding and interment in the First Congregational United Church of Christ Circle of Life Memorial Garden Memorial Garden. Friends are asked to consider the Dwight C. Austin Memorial Fund for the Dogwood Center for the Performing Arts or First Congregational United Church of Christ Endowment Fund both through the Fremont Area Community Foundation. Friends may also post a condolence or share a memory online at www.crandellfh.com Click here to post a condolence or memory of Dwight on-line Forrie, Rabbit, & Joe, I am so sorry for your loss. Dwight was quite a guy, well liked, and played the meanest Dodge Dashboard Piano I have ever heard or seen. Fred Hawkey March 15, 2007 Dear Family and Friends, We are so sad to hear of the passing of Grandpa Dwight. His death is a loss for both his family and the Fremont community. It is with fondness and a smile that I remember the many visits to Chippewa Drive. Dwight approached life with charm, style and humor. He and Dorothy were energetic and welcoming. How fortunate I was to have them both in my life for as long as I did. They helped to shape my passions for cooking, travel and reading. Dwight taught me how to pack a suitcase to exacting standards and make perfect hospital bed corners. And, although nothing escaped his notice, he was rarely disapproving or critical of my ideas. Perhaps as his only granddaughter, he gave me a bit more latitude. He certainly did not spare the dutch-rubs or playful teasing. Not even as a college student was I allowed to help with the crossword puzzle, which was his private pleasure. My family carries on some of the same fun and spirited traditions playing Kings-in-the- Corner for pennies and nickels, and happy-hour, of course. He was someone who enjoyed some of the better things in life and certainly had a knack for finding a party. It is with regret that we will not be able to honor Dwight at the memorial service he will be in our thoughts. Andy, the girls and I will drink a toast to him and celebrate his long, full life rather than his passing. Although distance sometimes made it difficult to have him in my life as much as I would have wanted, I did think of him often and will continue to delight my family with stories of the ways in which he and Dorothy enriched my life. Regards, Lisa, Andy, Zavi and Anya Sheldon Dear Joe and Libby, I was saddened to hear of your fathers death. While I did not know him well I thought highly of him and enjoyed the few conversations I had with him over the last few years. Life is measured, to some degree, by milestones. Certainly for each of you, and your siblings and family; this is a significant milestone. As you reflect on your lives and this milestone please know that many prayers are said, some aloud, many silent prayers for you and those you love. I wish for you many wonderful memories and the chance to reflect and connect with those closest to you at this time. Your friend, Tom Schuiteman Dear Libby and Family, I am so sorry for your loss. Dwight was a very special person. His passing is a great loss to you but, also to the community. Ill always remember our hugs at Rotary. Shari Meyer May God bless Dwights family as we celebrate his life. I respected Dwight so much in so many ways. He was a light for me as a professional person; he was a light with his openness and approachability; he was a light with his fantastic humor; he was a light with his example of generosity; and he was a light with his Christianity. Dwight just got it in every way. I will truly miss our conversations on many subjects. It will be impossible to replace our pep rallies about MSU. It was at the point that neither of us had to say anything about the last game; just a nod of the head sufficed. Dwight was an efficient, effective, honest, humble man. He lived his faith and he lived the Rotary Four Way Test. Some lights dont try to shine brighter, they just do. He was, and will continue to be, a beacon for me! Dean Morehouse I wish at this time to express my condolences to Dwight's family. I was Dwight's pet sitter for many years, taking care of his beloved cat, Teddy. I will miss seeing Dwight whenever I was in Guiseppe's. He always took the time to visit and ask me how I was doing. After I had to give up my pet sitting service, Dwight sent me a very thoughtful card thanking me for the many years I devoted taking care of Teddy. He was a very kind, wonderful man and I am going to miss him. Peaceful rest be with you, Dwight. Gail Scott Dear Libby and Family, What a nice man ! I thoroughly enjoyed him and his company. I think there was more to it than the fact that we both appreciated a good martini. We'll all miss him, but we can celebrate the fact that he contributed a great deal to the community. Wayne Thompson dear dave and libby we are so sorry to hear about your dad. he will be sadly missed at all merrill barn parties. dancing... wearing other people's clothes. he was a great guy... always there to shake your hand and say "how you doing" we will miss seeing him out to dinner on friday nights at guiessippes with you both. we're sorry we will miss the funeral but were out of town, but please know our thoughts our with you all. glenn and dani vogel Dear Joe & Libby, I was so saddened to read of the passing of your dad. He was a charming and delightful man. I always enjoyed anytime I spent chatting with him at various get to together's. He will be missed. With sincere sympathy, Bill (Terry) Abbott Our thoughts and prayers are with you all on the passing of your beloved father, Dwight. Jane and Dan Bacon Dear Joe & Libby, we were very saddened when I heard of Dwight's passing. I was not privileged to know him until later in life at Joes house when ever he had a GOOD party. We always enjoyed him and will certainly miss him. The first thing on the scene was the Martini, and WHERE's the olives. George & Mary Lou Shaffer Libby, Thinking of you, knowing how sad it is to lose a parent, and am sending you hugs from Az. We worked together for many years, when I was still with Le Fleur Shoppe in Muskegon. Take care, Mardi (Monroe) Williams Dear Joe and Family, I am sorry to hear about your father. My thought and prayers will be with you and your family. Matt Kutches Libby, Jim, Tom and Joe, I am so sorry to hear about your father. My children will always remember sitting by the pond in backyard, Dwight telling them about the goldfish. I will always treasure my Uncle Dwight. The many times that your parents took me in, cared for my sisters when my mother couldnt and the support Aunt Dorothy and Uncle Dwight gave my father through many hard years will never be forgotten. I have many, many fond memories of 424 Chippewa! Please know we are thinking of all of you. Love and Peace, Laura Kotting (Kolodziej) and Jeff and Lauren Hooton Jim, Gayle, Jamie and Lisa, I am truly sorry to here of your loss, your father / grand father was a great man. I have many fond memories that include your family and the summer visits back to Fremont. May the peace of the lord be with your family always. Jeff Noble Posted 4/10/07