Janice G Austin

Janice "Jan" Austin, 75, passed away on March 28, 2023, at Landmark Hospital in Joplin, Missouri. Jan was born on March 25, 1948 in Butterfield, MO, to Clifford Keeling and Clara "Mildred" Pilant Keeling. She was the only girl of six children and growing up with five brothers gave her a strong spine, a lot of patience and a little bit of sass. Jan graduated from Joplin High School and went on to earn a Bachelor's degree, Magna cum laude, from Missouri Southern College (where she met the love of her life after spotting him across the student union). She would later receive her Master's Degree from Pittsburg State University, earning honors while working a full-time job and raising two daughters. She was an accounting instructor in the Business department at Crowder College for over 35 years where she was deeply invested in the personal and professional successes of her students. It was rare that she could go anywhere in public without running into one of her students; she always knew them by name and enjoyed hearing about their lives. Jan married James "Jim" Austin, Jr. on August 23, 1968 in Joplin, Missouri. The couple had two daughters, Angela Austin Vorhees, and Whitney Austin; and one granddaughter Annaliese Austin Vorhees. Jan was a devoted wife, an extraordinary mother and an utterly besotted "Nanny". She took enormous pride in her "girls" and any of their accomplishments, great or small. She was fiercely devoted to family and loved nothing more than to be surrounded at holiday gatherings by brothers, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, sons-in-law, cousins, and their many spouses and children. She found sisterhood with her sisters-in-law, past and present. She had many beloved nieces and nephews as well as great-nieces and nephews, most of whom you can find in the pictures fondly kept on her refrigerator. Jan lived out her faith as an active member of her church and community. She taught Sunday School for decades and received such joy from sharing her love of Jesus with little ones. She served on various church committees including the Prayer Team and was a long-time member of the Advisory Board for the Salvation Army, volunteering her time and energy both locally and in various missions across the country. Jan is survived by husband James "Jim" Austin Jr, of Joplin, Missouri; daughters Angela Austin Vorhees of Joplin, Missouri, and Whitney Austin of Springfield, Missouri; and granddaughter Annaliese Vorhees, of Joplin, Missouri and Chicago, Illinois. She is also survived by brothers, John Keeling of Boerne, Texas, and Bill Keeling of Rogers, Arkansas. Janice is preceded in death by father, Clifford Keeling; mother, Clara Pilant Keeling; brothers Bob Keeling, Larry Keeling and Gary Keeling; niece, Gayle Ann Keeling and nephew, Andy Keeling. A celebration of Jan's life be held on June 25, 2023, at 2:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 501 W 4th St, Joplin, Missouri.

Janice G Austin

March 25, 1948 - March 28, 2023