Merritt Austin

Merritt graduated from Hopkins High School. He was a proud U.S. Army veteran that served from 1969 - 1971 as an MP. He was a truck driver for many years prior to his retirement. Throughout his life, he enjoyed fishing and hunting whenever he could.

Merritt was preceded in death by his parents, Roger and Janet Austin. Surviving are his loving wife, Mary Ann Austin; brothers, Lee and Roger Austin; daughter, Ellen Chapman; step-children, Marti (Daryl) Hitchings, Lance Gruhn and Glenn (Carey) Ryan; grandchildren, Ryan, Trevor, Devon, Cody, Kayce, Shaye, Sommer, Dustin, Morgan, and Kacy; two great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

A Memorial Service with military honors will be held on at 3:00 PM on Tuesday, June 22nd at Fort Custer National Cemetery, 15501 Dickman Rd, Augusta, MI 49012. Family and friends are invited to gather following the service at The American Legion, 228 N. 20th St., Springfield, MI 49037 for fellowship and light refreshments till about 7pm.

The family would like to give special thanks to the team at Wings of Hope Hospice for their care and support during Merritt’s final days of life.

Memorial contributions can be made to Wings of Hope Hospice, 530 Linn St, Allegan, MI 49010.

To send a message of sympathy to the family, sign Merritt’s online guest book, or to share a favorite memory, please visit: www.NeptuneSociety.com