Sexton Records from Contributor: Kerry (48011981)
The 10th of 16 children born to Fred & Jennie Austin.
Cause of death from Whitman County Death Certificate: "Accidental poisoning - tablets she found in home." Her name was listed as Phillis Jean Austin on the DC.
Some family members were told the tablets were heart pills, some family members said it was medicine for the chickens and some family members said they were told Phyllis ate too many cucumbers.
I spoke with the last remaining sibling, Janice Austin, that remembered Phyllis. She told me that on the day of Phyllis's death, Phyllis was left home in the care of her older siblings while Janice (age 5) and their mother went to the grocery store. When they arrived home, Phyllis was lying on the bed and had passed away. The exact circumstances — we'll never know for certain.
The nickname of Sarah Jane came from the book "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" which the family was reading at the time of her birth.
The day after Phyllis' death, her mother went into labor and delivered her 12th child.
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Thank you to Kathy Hilliard for locating two grave markers, each for a "Baby Austin." The names and dates have eroded away. Cemetery is also unaware of the dates. Phyllis' Death Certificate said she was to be sent to Pine City for Burial.
So I assume one of these markers belongs to her or her marker is lost.
Sexton Records from Contributor: Kerry (48011981)
The 10th of 16 children born to Fred & Jennie Austin.
Cause of death from Whitman County Death Certificate: "Accidental poisoning - tablets she found in home." Her name was listed as Phillis Jean Austin on the DC.
Some family members were told the tablets were heart pills, some family members said it was medicine for the chickens and some family members said they were told Phyllis ate too many cucumbers.
I spoke with the last remaining sibling, Janice Austin, that remembered Phyllis. She told me that on the day of Phyllis's death, Phyllis was left home in the care of her older siblings while Janice (age 5) and their mother went to the grocery store. When they arrived home, Phyllis was lying on the bed and had passed away. The exact circumstances — we'll never know for certain.
The nickname of Sarah Jane came from the book "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" which the family was reading at the time of her birth.
The day after Phyllis' death, her mother went into labor and delivered her 12th child.
-----------------------
Thank you to Kathy Hilliard for locating two grave markers, each for a "Baby Austin." The names and dates have eroded away. Cemetery is also unaware of the dates. Phyllis' Death Certificate said she was to be sent to Pine City for Burial.
So I assume one of these markers belongs to her or her marker is lost.
Family Members
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Gerald Edward Austin
1912–2003
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Paul Frances Austin
1913–1977
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Kenneth Lee "Scoop" Austin
1915–2000
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Floyd Joseph Austin
1916–1985
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Pershing Frederick Austin
1918–1996
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Margaret Ida "Peggy" Austin Friedrich
1919–2011
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Harold Lafayette Austin
1921–1994
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Janice Harriet Austin Cunningham
1922–2011
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Allen Ralph Austin
1923–2011
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Virginia Rose "Ginger" Austin Kurtzhall
1926–2001
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Thomas Clark Austin
1927–2002
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Richard Henry Austin
1928–2016
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Roberta Elaine "PeeWee" Austin O'Hara
1930–1994
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