John Henry Austin was born on July 27, 1942, in Utica, MS to Joe and Nancy Austin. John was the youngest of 5 children. The family moved to Vicksburg, MS where Nancy married John Baker Jr. (Junior) who raised John as his own son.

The family then moved to Chicago in 1952 when John was 10 years old. The family eventually settled in Maywood, IL where he attended Washington Elementary school and Proviso High School.After John graduated in 1960, he enlisted in the US Marine Corp.

After leaving the Marines, John married the love of his life, Yvonne Givan on Feb. 28, 1965. To this union was born 3 sons, John Kevin, Jeffrey Karlton, and Joel Kenneth.

John started his career with ComEd in 1965 as a part of the first group that included Black linemen. After receiving his BS from Chicago State University in 1979, he worked as an engineer until retirement in 1998.

John accepted Jesus as his Lord and Savior in 2006 at Praise Fellowship Assemblies of God, Indianapolis, IN (Hallelujah!). He was baptized at Christian Valley Baptist church in Chicago and joined Vessels of His Love church, under the pastorate of the late Thelma J. Leftwich, Wheaton, IL. In 2017, John and Yvonne united with Wheaton Christian Center under the Pastorate of Paul D. Arthurs where he remained a faithful member until his transition.
John's favorite pastimes were fishing and playing golf with his friends. He enjoyed talking with people and sharing his wisdom, knowledge, and experience. Spending time at home and traveling with his grandkids, were some of his happiest times.

John went to be with the Lord on October 12, 2022. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters; Eleanor Thornton and Ruth Kirkley and a brother Joe L. Austin and days after his transition his "grandson" Lamont Caffey. He leaves to cherish his memory his loving wife of 57 years, Yvonne; sons; John Kevin, Jeffrey, and Joel (Delica); his "daughters" Valicia (Michael) Caffey, Charlette (Walter) Perryman and Jane (Rhetti) Reese; grandchildren: Iyanna, Micah, Jada, Kaitlyn, Lillian; and additional "grandchildren": Lenel, Darnell, and Terrell. His sister Willene (Melvin) Smith; sister-in-law, Laura Reaves; sister-cousin, Minister Jean Davis; aunt, Minister Susie Young; his goddaughters; Erica, Dianne, Talya, Gabrielle; nieces and nephews; Michael, Kathie, Ledell (Ofelina), Mel, Craig, Kelly (Will),Bridget, Pastor Karla (Pastor Steve), Michelle (Nathaniel), Clarence Jr. (Jeryl), Robert, Nicole, Carlos (Amber) " his fourth son," Travis, and a host of grandnieces, grandnephews, relatives and friends.

A visitation will be held at Wheaton Christian Center, 610 E North Ave., Carol Stream, IL 60188 on Thursday, October 20, 2022, from 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. with a funeral service to follow beginning at 11:00 a.m. Interment with military honors will be held at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois on Friday, October 21, 2022 at 10:30 a.m.

Memorial gifts may be directed to The Belize Foundation at Wheaton Christian Center.

Family and friends may sign a guest book at hultgrenfh.com. For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027.