Leonard Van Austin, 62, of Robertsdale passed away April 14, 2014.
He was born in Chicago, Ill. on Dec. 29, 1951 to Leonard R. and Ethel (Langbeen) Van Austin.
He grew up in Calumet City and graduated from TF North High School.
After graduation he enlisted in the U.S. Navy and trained at Great Lakes Naval Academy. After training he served on the U.S.S. Shreveport LPD-12 from 1970-1974.
After leaving the service he received an associate’s degree from the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
He became a merchant seaman engineer traveling the Great Lakes with Hannah Marine in Lemont, Ill. and North American Towing Co. He worked for the companies more than 15 years before deciding to stay on land.
He then went to work for Urban Engineering, which later became Johnson Controls.
He retired as a stationery engineer from Water Tower Place in Chicago, Ill.
Leonard and his wife, Pamela (Sweatt), were married on Dec. 18, 1981 in Lansing, Ill. where they resided until he retired and moved to Robertsdale in 2007.
Not content being retired and sitting at home, he went to work for Walmart in Gulf Shores from 2008 until his death.
He was a faithful, devoted and loving husband and son. He was a man of integrity, well read, sincere, intelligent, dedicated, dependable, quick-witted, and hardworking.
He leaves behind his wife of 32 years, Pam; his father, Leonard R. and stepmother, InaBelle Van Austin of Elberta; aunt, Gloria Margraff of Munster, Ind.; sisters-in-law, Debra (Greg) Altgilbers of Dyer, Ind. and Catherine (Wally) Blink of Cedar Lake, Ind.; nephews, John Theisen of Phoenix, Ariz., Peter (Mary) Theisen of Bonfield, Ill. and Robert Blink of Cedar Lake, Ind.; niece, Brittanie Hornsby of Dyer, Ind.; six great-nieces and great-nephews; numerous cousins; and dear friend, Mike (Mary) Barss of Kildeer, Ill.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Ethel; and his sister and brother-in-law, Gloria Jean (John) Buikema of Grant Park, Ill.
A celebration of Leonard’s life will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, April 19, 2014, at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, 13220 Main St. in Elberta.
The family will receive friends immediately following the service.
Memorials may be made to Elsanor Volunteer Fire Department, U.S. Highway 90, Robertsdale, AL 36567 or St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Elberta, or a charity of the donor’s choice.
Expressions of condolence may be offered at www.hughesfh.com.
Arrangements by Hughes Funeral Home & Crematory, Daphne.
