John Austin

John Wendell Austin, 80, of Charlotte, passed away with his family by his side on Thursday, August 19, 2021 at Levine & Dickson Hospice House of Southminster in Charlotte.

John was born November 15, 1940 in Union County to the late James Roy Austin, Sr. and the late Olive Ophelia Still Austin. He was also preceded in death by his daughter, Stephanie Maria Austin; and brothers, James Roy Austin, Jr. and William "Bill" Allen Austin.

The family will receive friends from 10:00 am - 10:45 am, Tuesday, August 24, 2021 at Hickory Grove Baptist Church. The funeral service to celebrate his life will follow at 11:00 am, officiated by Rev. John Harrill. He will be laid to rest at Wingate Cemetery. He will lie in state on Monday, August 23, 2021 from 2:00 pm - 5:00 pm at Hartsell Funeral Home of Midland.

He is survived by his former wife, Bessie Panos and children, Joni Elayne "Becka" Austin and George John Austin; former wife, Barbara Prince Austin and children, Bryan Page (Amy) Austin, John Ira Austin, James Oliver Austin; grandchildren, Jaxson, Monty, Ella, Georgia, Grace, Emma; great-grandchildren, Christopher and Nicholas; and nieces and nephews, LeeAnne, Sterling, Todd, and Nanda.

John was a loving father, grandfather, brother, and friend. Known to some as "Hard Rock", he was a prankster and jokester, who loved to make people laugh. John was one of a kind that helped so many people and brought a smile to everyone.

Memorials may be made to Hospice & Palliative Care Charlotte Region, P. O. Box 470408, Charlotte, NC 28204 or MIA, 1427 Elizabeth Ave., Charlotte, NC 28204.

Hartsell Funeral Home of Midland is serving the Austin family.

You may go to the following link to view the service livestream:

https://livestream.com/accounts/10705266/funeral