Harold W. Auten's Obituary
Harold Wayne Auten, 80, of Decatur, passed away peacefully in his sleep in the early morning hours on Saturday, October 19, 2019.
Harold was born December 2, 1938, in Hammond, IL to Vincel A. and Beulah F. (Tracy) Auten. He was a 1956 graduate of Cerro Gordo High School. He married Loretta “Mae” Pool on June 27, 1959 in Decatur, IL. Harold served in the Army and was stationed in Germany. He was Honorably Discharged in September 1964. He farmed, worked at PPG in the early days and later began his career at Firestone where he worked for over 30 years, retiring in 2001. He enjoyed fishing, mushroom hunting, gardening, scratching lottery tickets, sharing stories of the good ole days, watching Westerns on TV (especially anything with John Wayne) while eating his Krekel’s ice cream or pie, spending time with his friends, supper club retirees, drinking coffee with the guys at the union hall, but most of all, his grandchildren.
He is survived by three children, Tim (Dawn) Auten of Normal, IL, Jody (Kameron) Miller of Carthage, IL and Jennifer (David) Tolladay of Decatur, IL; eleven grandchildren, Jessica Auten of Redmond, WA, Devin Auten of Decatur, IL, Samantha Auten of Indianapolis, IN, Tyler Auten of Normal, IL, Meghan Barnett of Bloomington, IL, Maddi Barnett of Normal, IL, Kyle Miller of Panama City Beach, FL, Katy Miller of Normal, IL, Joe Tolladay of Decatur, IL, Brandy (Joe) Sawyer of Decatur, IL and Sarah Tolladay of Decatur, IL; two great-grandchildren, Blair Sawyer of Decatur, IL and Griffin Sawyer of Decatur, IL; two brothers Robert (Carol) Auten of Lovington, IL, Richard “Dick” Auten of Montezuma, IN and one sister-in-law, Doris Early of Champaign, IL and many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 59 years, Loretta “Mae” (Pool) Auten; his parents; 1 brother, Paul Auten; 2 sisters, Hellen Baker and Evelyn Haddan; 2 sisters-
in-law, Nikki Auten and Marcia Auten; 3 brothers-in-law, Dean Baker, Don Haddan & Paul Early.
Honoring Harold’s wishes, cremation services will be provided by the Graceland/Fairlawn Funeral Home & Cremation Center, 2091 N. Oakland Ave. Decatur, IL. Family and friends will gather on Saturday, November 16 from 12 – 2 pm at the BCTGM Local Union Hall, 2955 N Woodford Street, Decatur, IL for a Celebration of Life gathering. Please join us in remembering the life of Harold Wayne Auten and share your memories with our family. Please view the online obituary, send condolences, and share memories at www.gracelandfairlawn.com.
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