Mary E. Austin, 75, of Belvidere died Tuesday, July 26, 2011 in Provena Cor Mariae Center after a long illness. She was born March 8, 1936 in Boone Co. Illinois; the daughter of Elmer and Gertrude (Eicksteadt) Brown. Mary graduated from Belvidere High School. She was married to Paul G. Austin in Hoxie, Arkansas on June 24, 1955. Mary was employed as a secretary for the principal at Belvidere High School and then later for Belvidere Township. While living in Clarksville, Arkansas she owned the Dukes and Duchesses Ceramic Store and belonged to the Assembly of God Church there. She is survived by her four sons, Tim (Michelle) Austin, Belvidere; Tom (Candice) Austin, Jackson, Ohio; Terry (Karen) Austin, Rockford, Illinois; Todd Austin, Rockford, Illinois; a step-son, Stephen (Rene) Austin, Lamar, Arkansas; 14 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren; a sister, Gail (Harold) Winne; numerous nieces and nephews. Mary is preceded in death by her parents, husband in 1997, and sister, Lorraine Meyers.

Memorials may be made in her name for a fund to be established at a later date.