Laura June Ausbrooks

Laura June Ausbrooks MARION-Laura June Ausbrooks, 92, of Marion formerly of Vienna, went to be with the Lord at 9:06 PM, Friday, January 16, 2009 at Heartland Regional Medical Center in Marion. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Wednesday, January 21, 2009 at First Baptist Church in Marion with Dr. Bob Dickerson officiating. Visitation will be 10:00 AM until the time of the service on Wednesday at the church. Blue Funeral Home, Marion is in charge of the arrangements. Graveside services will be held at 2:00 PM, Wednesday at Vienna Fraternal Cemetery. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church; envelopes will be available at the church or may be sent c/o Blue Funeral Home, PO Box 411, Marion, IL 62959. Laura was born June 20, 1916 in rural Vienna, the youngest of seven children, to Daniel Franklin “Doc” and Mary Alice (Cline) Newton. She married Marvin Eugene Ausbrooks on her 21st birthday, June 20, 1937 at the home of her foster mother, Lillie Chitty in the Pond Community near Vienna. He preceded her in death on October 7, 2001. Survivors include her only son and daughter-in-law, Robert Eugene and Deanne Ausbrooks of Marion; nephew, Val Gene Gould of Energy; several other nieces and nephews; Gretchen Brown, Laura’s neighbor in Manteno (whom she “adopted” as her granddaughter); and her dogs and cat were included as a part of her family. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; four brothers, Charles Henry, Robert Olin, Ira Victor and William Marion Newton; and two sisters, Martha Fay Gould and Lora May Rodgers. Laura attended Simpson High School. She and Marvin were raised in rural areas near Vienna and lived similar childhood experiences, enjoying the benefits and enduring the hardships of farm life in Southern Illinois. She participated in the Home Bureau, The Lady’s Club, school activities, and Simpson Baptist Church. After a three year draught, in 1955, Laura moved to Manteno, where she and Marvin worked as technicians at Manteno Mental Health Center for 25 years. She was a charter member of the First Baptist Church in Manteno where she was actively involved in the ministry of young children for over 28 years as a primary Sunday School teacher, Bible School teacher and Director of Sunbeams. She returned to Southern Illinois and Marion with her son and daughter-in-law, February 2004, where they are enjoying their retirement years. Laura was a member of First Baptist Church of Marion. She participated in her Sunday School Class, enjoyed singing with the Joy Singers and arranging photos of her new found friends. Her sense of humor and loving deeds will be missed.