Joseph John Augustyn

Joseph John Augustyn, Jr., 74, died of pancreatic stomach cancer Friday (May 17, 2002) at his home in McCook.

He was born April 24, 1928, to Joseph John and Gertrude Barbara (Tomasiewicz) Augustyn at Loup City, Neb. He graduated as valedictorian from Loup City High School in 1945. He received his BA from the University of Northern Colorado at Greeley, Colo., and his Master's Degree in Guidance and Counseling from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. He also attended Fort Hayes State, Chadron State, and University of Nebraska at Lincoln.

On September 19, 1949, he married Maribeth Grace in Denver. They lived in Greeley, Goodland, Kan., Colby, Kan., Red Cloud, Gothenburg and have lived in McCook since 1967. He retired in 1988 from public education after 39 years as a math teacher and coach of football, wrestling, track, basketball and baseball. He had taught in McCook for 21 years.

He was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church. He served on the Senior Center Advisory Board, the McCook School Board of Education, on the Credit Union Board, and the Southwest Area Training Services (SWATS) Board.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a grandson, Christopher Chambers.

Survivors include his wife, Maribeth of McCook; two sons, Michael Augustyn and his wife, Joyce of DeRidder, La., and Charles Augustyn and wife, Marilyn of Lincoln; four daughters, Kathleen and husband, Chris Robles of Kearney, Peg and husband, Rob Carter of Stratton, Susan Augustyn of Sandpoint, Idaho, and Carol and husband, Bill Reed of North Platte; three brothers, Loren Augustyn and wife, Pat of Kingman, Kan., Marion Augustyn and wife, Mary of Omaha, and Philip Augustyn of Arizona; three sisters, Carolyn and husband, Dan Fishburn of Omaha, Sister Leona Augustyn of Grand Island, and Maxine and husband, John Morris of Joplin, Mo.; 12 grandchildren, Anthony Chambers, Daniel Augustyn, Michael Carter, Joseph R. Augustyn, Vincent Reed, Douglas Augustyn, Andrew Augustyn, Maria Hendrickson, Kimberly Augustyn, Renee Augustyn, Rebecca Carter, Jennifer Reed, and two great-grandchildren, Hannah and Josephine Hendrickson.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, 11 a.m., at St. Patrick's Catholic Church with Father Gary Brethour and Father Andrew M. Augustyn officiating. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery.

Rosary will be Tuesday, 7:30 p.m. at the Carpenter Breland Funeral Home in McCook.

Visitation will be today until 5 p.m. and Tuesday, 9 a.m. to time of Rosary.

Memorials may be given to the McCook Senior Center or Hospice.

Carpenter Breland Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.