Dayla Austerberry

Dayla Austerberry, 18, of Pottsville, passed away from injuries sustained in a motor vehicle accident Saturday morning in Reilly Township. Her boyfriend, Michael Truscott, also succumbed to his injuries.

Born Aug. 31, 2002, in Pottsville, she was a daughter of Melissa L. Bitler Shipton and her husband, Aaron Shipton, of Pottsville, and a daughter of the late Dale D. Austerberry Jr.

She was a 2020 graduate of Pottsville Area High School, and was currently a student at Lehigh Carbon Community College, studying early childhood education. She had also been employed at Giant Food Stores.

Throughout her life, Dayla participated in various sports and activities, with soccer being her passion. She was a four-year member of Pottsville Lady Tide Soccer and played youth soccer for 13 years. Her interests included music, four-wheeling and hanging out with her many friends. Those who knew Dayla would describe her as sweet, outgoing, considerate, goofy and one of a kind. She had a vibrant personality and the most beautiful smile. She was a hopeless romantic, and Michael was her best friend, soul mate and one true love.

In addition to her father, Dalya was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Debra and Daniel Shoener; a maternal uncle, Joshua B. Yevak; maternal great-grandfather, Harold J. Spoerl; and paternal great-grandparents, William and Louise Mason.

In addition to her parents and stepparents, she is survived by two sisters, Kalea R. Austerberry and Alexis A. Shipton; her maternal grandmother, Amy Yevak (spouse, Bruce), of Quakertown; her maternal grandfather, Thomas R. Bitler, of Nazareth; her maternal great-grandparents, Thomas and Ruby Bitler; her paternal grandfather, Dale D. Austerberry Sr. (spouse, Krissy), of Schuylkill Haven; her stepfather's mother, Kathleen Shipton (spouse, the late Dr. William E. Shipton), of Pottsville; a maternal aunt, Jennifer Yevak-Zola; two paternal aunts, Danbrielle and Samantha Shoener; two paternal uncles, Brad Ross and Allen Buehner; great-aunts, great-uncles, cousins and extended family members.

The family will accept visitors at Dutcavich Funeral Home, 200 Sunbury St., Minersville, at 6 p.m. Friday and from 6 a.m. until funeral services at 10 a.m. Saturday. Donations will be accepted to assist Dayla's family. Visit www.dutcavich.com for more information.