With the U.S. Marine Corp Austin Walter Brooke, son of Phillip Brooke and Laurie (Fonter) Brooke Samuelson, was born on Jan. 15, 1988 in Springfield, and passed away at the age of 19 years, 8 months and 7 days from an auto accident on Sept. 22, 2007, in Oceanside, Calif. He was stationed at Camp Pendleton in California, serving his country with the U.S. Marine Corp as PFC.
He graduated from Sparta High School where he was the drummer in the marching and concert band. Austin was a member of the Hopedale Baptist Church, Ozark.
On Sept. 9, 2006, Austin and Leota Yount were united in marriage in Ozark County, and to this union one son was born. Austin loved the outdoors. He enjoyed deer and turkey hunting, fishing, soccer, crosscountry and his music. He also enjoyed computer games. Austin always wanted to help the underdog. He had a soft heart for helping those in need.
Austin loved his family dearly and he will be greatly missed.
He was preceded in death by his grandfathers, Walter Fonter and Voyne Brooke.
He is survived by his wife, Leota Brooke, Isabella; his son, Shawn Brooke, of the home; his mother and stepfather, Laurie and John Samuelson, Sparta; his father, Phillip Brooke, Ava; two half brothers, Preston Brooke, Ava, and Michael Brooke, Marshfield; two step-siblings, Kaitlin and Spencer Samuelson, Pomona; his maternal grandmother, Lois Fonter, Ava; his paternal grandmother, Pauline Brooke, Windyville; many aunts, uncles, cousins and a host of other relatives and friends.
Services for Austin will be at 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 29, in the Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava, with the Rev. Terry Kendrick officiating and eulogy by his close friend, Justin Buzzard. Interment will follow in the Ava Cemetery with full military honors by the U.S. Marine Corps. Visitation will be Saturday at 1 p.m. till service time. The family requests memorials made to the donor’s choice of charity.
Services are being conducted by Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Ava. Online condolences may be made to www.clinkingbeardfuneralhome. com.
