Charles Edward "Ed" & Marcena Ora Austin

Charles Edward “Ed” Austin, 82, of Alexis, IL, passed away on Tuesday, December 2, 2025 near Alexis.

Ed was born October 24, 1943 in Galesburg, IL the son of Earl and Dolly (Kennedy) Austin. He was raised and educated in Galesburg, graduating from Galesburg High School in 1961.

Ed married Marcena O. Reuter on January 23, 1965 in Galesburg and she passed away on December 2, 2025.

Ed worked as a Carman for the CB&Q Railroad and later the Burlington Northern for 43 years before retiring in 2003. He also farmed near Alexis since 1974, still advising and assisting out around the farm to this day.

He was a member of the Gerlaw Christian Church. He loved to hunt, fish, trap and trap shoot. He was an accomplished trap shooter, winning his division at the Grand National. He also loved spending time with his grandchildren. Ed found peace and joy in gardening with Marcena.

Survivors include his children, Byron (Mary) Austin of Knoxville, IL, Michelle (Michael) Anderson of Las Vegas, NV and Heath (Tracy) Austin of Gerlaw, IL; his grandchildren, Bailey (Karl) Terpening, Brandon (Leah) Austin, Hunter Austin and Emma Austin; his great grandson, Klyde Terpening; sisters, Peggy (Terry) Stevenson of Galesburg and Mary Ann (the late Lynn) Beck of Washington, IL; several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, and his brother, Darold (Alice) Austin.

Funeral services will be 10:00 am, Saturday, December 6, 2025 at the Gerlaw Christian Church, Gerlaw. Cremation will take place following the services with a private family interment at the Gerlaw Cemetery at a later date. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 pm Friday, December 5, 2025 at McGuire & Davies Funeral Home and Crematory, Monmouth, IL. Memorials may be given to the Ed and Marcena Austin Memorial Fund and sent to the funeral home.

Marcena O. Austin, 82, of Alexis, IL, passed away on Tuesday, December 2, 2025 near Alexis.

Marcena was born July 2, 1943 in Galesburg, IL the daughter of Ora Edward and Mabel C. (Gillespie) Reuter. She was raised and educated in Avon, graduating from Avon High School in 1961.

Marcena married Charles Edward “Ed” Austin on January 23, 1965 in Galesburg and he passed away on December 2, 2025.

She was a beautician and farm wife, raising her children and taking care of her family was her focus. She loved and lived to be with and around her grandchildren.

She was a member of the Gerlaw Christian Church and the WICH Home Extension. She was also a Warren Co. 4-H leader. She loved to quilt, sew dresses and garden with Ed.

Survivors include her children, Byron (Mary) Austin of Knoxville, IL, Michelle (Michael) Anderson of Las Vegas, NV and Heath (Tracy) Austin of Gerlaw, IL; her grandchildren, Bailey (Karl) Terpening, Brandon (Leah) Austin, Hunter Austin and Emma Austin; her great grandson, Klyde Terpening; sisters, Joann Presley of Corpus Christi, TX, Cheryl (the late Robert) Wright of Galesburg and Yvette (Gerald) Wright of Galesburg; several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister, Ordeth German; brothers, Eddie Delwyn Reuter and Rodger Reuter.

Funeral services will be 10:00 am, Saturday, December 6, 2025 at the Gerlaw Christian Church, Gerlaw. Interment for Marcena will be directly following the services at the Gerlaw Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5:00-7:00 pm Friday, December 5, 2025 at McGuire & Davies Funeral Home and Crematory, Monmouth, IL. Memorials may be given to the Ed and Marcena Austin Memorial Fund and sent to the funeral home.