Samuel McMinn Austene, Jr.

Samuel McMinn Austene, Jr., 84, passed away on December 1, 2021.

Sam was born in Alton, Illinois on September 24, 1937, the son of Samuel McMinn, Sr. and Mildred Mary Grosshaus Austene and they preceded him in death.  He graduated from Hallsville High School and attended the University of Missouri for a short time. On September 27, 1959 he married Sandra Sue Berkley in Hallsville at Red Top Christian Church.  He served in the Missouri National Guard from 1960 to 1966.

Sam’s whole career was spent working in the grocery industry – wholesale and retail, most notable working for Wetterau Foods many of those 50+ years.  He attended Red Top Christian Church and was active in many Hallsville activities – Hallsville 4-H Club, Hallsville Lions, coaching girls’ and boys’ baseball teams in the summer.  He also enjoyed spending time golfing with his buddies and was a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and University of Missouri sports. 

He is survived by his wife, Sue of Peoria, Illinois; his children, Robert Kevin Austene (Teresa) of Canton, Michigan, Karrie Suzanne Russell (Jeff) of Highland, Michigan; grandchildren, Kara Chambers (Joe), Kyle Austene (Christina), Valerie, Greg, and Zach Russell; great grandchildren, Jameson, Lochlan, and Rory Chambers, and Madelyn and Teddy Austene.  

Graveside Funeral services will be held at 1:00 pm, Monday, December 6, 2021 at Red Top Christian Church Cemetery, Hallsville, Missouri. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Red Top Christian Church Cemetery Fund, c/o Bach-Yager Funeral Chapel, 1610 N. Garth Ave., Columbia, MO 65202

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