Austin Armstrong

Austin Edward Armstrong, 101, of Mount Vernon, died Sunday, October 23, 2016. Funeral Service Thursday, October 27, 2016 at 2 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church, 301 First Street NW, Mount Vernon. Visitation: 1-2 p.m. at the church. Burial: Mount Vernon Memorial Cemetery, Mount Vernon, Iowa. Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Mount Vernon, is caring for Austin and his family. Survivors include his daughter, Linda (Ray) Janko of Palo; son, Ron (Bev) Armstrong of Mt. Vernon; grandchildren, Bryan (Michelle Johnson) Janko of Cedar Rapids, Sheryl (Shawn) Woolman of Urbandale, Karen (Jamie) DeLancey of Anamosa, Julie (Rod) Thompson of Lima, Peru; great-grandchildren, Christine Janko, Samantha, Andrea, and Gabrielle Woolman, Taylor DeLancey, and Ana Thompson. Austin was born February 28, 1915, in Bering, Missouri, to Thomas and Alflocy (Matthews) Armstrong. He attended Abbe Creek School before moving on and graduating from Mt. Vernon High School. At the ripe old age of five, he met his 'pal' who would go on to be his wife, Laura Neal. They raised two fine children. He enjoyed traveling, and carving little wooden shoes. One of the first farmers to plant crops on contour, Austin loved farming and his friends in the Farm Bureau, and Linn Co-op where he was a charter member. Austin was the first President of the Linn County Pork Producers, and a Board Member of Federal Land Bank. He was also an Eagle Scout, PTA member, active member of 1st Presbyterian, and enjoyed his time with the 'Over 90 Club'. In retirement, he enjoyed his business of fixer-up homes. He was preceded in death by his wife; parents; and brother, Mervyn. Memorials may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Mt. Vernon, or Meth-Wick Community where Austin spent the last several years.