Joyce H. Austin

Joyce H. Austin, age 89, passed away on October 21, 2026.

She was born on January 11, 1937, in Horston, PA, to Alexander and Mildred (Reynolds).

Joyce was an art student at Carnegie Mellon University and later graduated as an educator from Kent State University in 1980.

She was employed by Marlington Local Schools for 20 years and her special area was teaching the migrant children as those families temporarily worked the Hartville, Ohio area truck farms.

Joyce raised her family on the 1840 family farm and made a lifetime project of restoring the property.

She was active in the community, serving for decades on the village council and various civic committees.

Those left to cherish her memory are her children, Martin (Diane) Bates and Cynthia Bates; grandchildren, Trisha and Kristen Bates, Jacob and Evelyn Pieper; brother, Joseph Hart; nephew, Aaron Hart; and niece, Kim Hart Ciampe.

She was preceded in death by her husbands, M. William Bates Sr., (1955-1980), and Duane V. Austin, (1983 to 2012).

A graveside service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 31, 2026 at the family home.