WEST FRANKFORT – John M Austin, 53, of West Frankfort, Illinois passed away on Sunday, April 9th, 2023.

John was born on March 19, 1970 in Marion, Illinois to Cyril K. and Phyllis J. (Bradley) Austin. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather and incredible friend.

John was a fantastic guitar player who made everyone smile with his talent. John said seeing his hero’s play live, Steve Vai and Eric Johnson, were two of the greatest moments of his life.

John spent many years as a car salesman. He was the “Cure for the Common Salesman.” He always wanted to help others find the best deal.

John was an avid Chicago Cubs fan and he loved his Pittsburgh Steelers. If a game was on, we were watching it.

John was preceded in death by his parents Cyril K. Austin and Phyllis J. (Bradley) Austin and his brother Garland W. Austin.

John is survived by his spouse Elizabeth (Goff) Austin, his son Jordan Kleine (fiancé Natalie Blevins), stepdaughters Stephanie (Josh) Hafenbreidel and Madison (Darick) Davis, his brothers George L. Austin and Tom Austin (fiancé Tena Collins), sister Gail M. Austin, grandchildren Owen Robert Kleine and Amelia Ann Hafenbreidel, father-in-law Michael B. Goff and mother-in-law Geraldine (Frye) Goff, brother-in-law Michael (Heather) Goff, nieces Amanda Burns, Heather Austin, Emily (Anthony) Morris, and Erin Frey; nephew Garland Austin Jr., great nephews Dalton Austin and Henry Frey and many other family and friends.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 15, 2023 at Union Funeral Home in West Frankfort at 2 p.m. with Pastor Danny Motta officiating. Interment will be in the Denning Cemetery on the Orient Road. Visitation will be from 12-2 p.m. at the funeral home prior to the service.