AUSTIN LEWIS HODSON

Austin Lewis Hodson, age 89, of Columbia City, Ind. passed away unexpectedly on Thursday, December 30, 2010 at Stringfellow Hospital in Anniston, Ala. while visiting family. Born on April 10, 1921 in Whitley County, Ind., he was the son of Loren F. and Phylena (Brubaker) Hodson.

He has been a resident of Indiana his entire life and has spent the last several wintersin Sebring, FL.He graduated from Coesse High School with the Class of 1940.He served in the United States Army during World War II where he fought in the Battle of the Bulge.On October 3, 1942, he married Burneida May Loutzenhiser at Evergreen Church of God in Jefferson Township.He retired in 1982 after 42 years of service as a Pennsylvania, Amtrak and Conrail Railroads locomotive engineer.Since then, he has been associated with the Ridge Equipment Company, Sebring, FL, and also with Magnavox (now Hughes Aviation).He is a member of the Columbia City First Church of God, American Legion Post #98 and Veterans of Foreign Wars #4300 of Sebring, FL.

Survivors include his wife of 68 years, Burneida May Hodson of Columbia City; daughter, Lynda Ruth (Joe) Aker of Anniston, Ala; son, Darrell (Charlene) Hodson of Columbia City; sister, Ruth McClain of Columbia City; 7 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant sister who died at birth, and sisters, Althea Hollenkamp and Faye Wright.

Visitation is from 5-8 p.m. Monday, January 3, 2011 at DeMoney-Grimes Countryside Park Funeral Home, 600 Countryside Drive, Columbia City, Ind.Funeral service will be at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 4, 2011 with calling one hour prior.Services will be at the funeral home with Pastor Johnny McCallister officiating. Burial will follow at Covington Memorial Gardens, Fort Wayne, Ind.Memorials may be given in memory of Mr. Hodson to the Columbia City First Church of God.Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.