Austin B. Hessling

Austin B. Hessling, Sr. of Caro, age 81, passed away on Saturday, January 25, 2025, at Select Specialty Hospital in Saginaw. He was born on February 25, 1943, in Harbor Beach, Michigan, the son of the late Elmer A. and Leona (Geiger) Hessling. Raised on the family farm, Austin attended Filmore Elementary School and graduated from SS. Peter and Paul High School in Ruth in 1960 at the age of seventeen. He continued to help with the farming until he turned eighteen, at which point he worked for several companies, including Booms Silo Co., Ruth Tile Co., and various local businesses.
Austin attended Saginaw Business Institute and later graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in finance from Ferris State College. Shortly after graduating, he was drafted into military service. He applied to the U.S. Navy and was accepted into the Officer Candidate Program in Newport, Rhode Island. Before being deployed, Austin married Eleanor I. "Jean" Finger on January 31, 1967, at St. Helen's Catholic Church in Saginaw. He completed Officer Candidate School and was commissioned as an Ensign, serving aboard the USS Northampton (CC-1). He was later promoted to Lieutenant Junior Grade. After one and a half years in the U.S. Navy, Austin transferred to the U.S. Marine Corps at Camp Lejeune, NC, where he served in San Diego, Cuba, and Jacksonville, NC.
After his military service, Austin returned to Saginaw, where he worked for 32 years in finance at Steering Gear – Saginaw Division. He also held several other jobs, including driving semi-trucks for two years, working as a tour coach driver for eight years, and serving as a school bus driver for Caro Community Schools for seventeen years.
Austin was an active member of the Caro community, involved with the Caro Knights of Columbus Council #3224, the Caro VFW Post #4164, the Caro Moose Lodge #1049, the K of C 4th Degree (Holy Trinity Assembly #2013), and St. Christopher Catholic Parish, Sacred Heart Church. His presence, smile, and enduring legacy have made a lasting impact on everyone fortunate enough to have known him.
Austin leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Eleanor; daughter and her husband, Felicia Jean & Jay McRae; son and his wife, Austin B. Hessling II & Kandie L. (Hood) Hessling; grandchildren, Lillian Hessling, Tristin Hessling, Trentin Hessling, and Elizabeth McRae; siblings and their spouses, Richard L. & Nancy (Maurer) Hessling, Warren & Sharon (Lapp) Hessling, Kevin & Louise (Booms) Hessling, Mark Hessling & friend, Angie King, James & Judy (Lamke) Hessling, Bridget and J.D. "Doug" Brown, and Steven Hessling; brother-in-law and his wife, John B. & Constance (Taylor) Finger; an uncle of Eleanor's, Roland Harkey of Prescott; several nieces, nephews, cousins, and close friends. In addition to his parents, Austin was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents, Henry & Adeliade Mary (Terbrack) Hessling; maternal grandparents, Barney & Anna (Artman) Geiger; father-in-law and mother-in-law, Gerald J. & Margaret I. (Peavy) Finger; sister and her husband, Donna C. & Casimer N. Klama Sr.; brother-in-law, Gerald R. "Jerry" Finger; sister-in-law, Charlotte Hessling; and his beloved granddaughter, Victoria McRae.
A funeral mass will be held on Friday, February 7, 2025 at 12:00 p.m. at St. Christopher Parish, Sacred Heart Church with Rev. Issac Madanu officiating. Burial will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery. The family will be present to receive visitors on Thursday, February 6, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Ransford Collon Funeral Home in Caro and again on Friday at church from 11:00 a.m. until the time of mass. A Rosary will be held on Thursday at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, those planning an expression of sympathy are asked to consider memorial contributions to the wishes of the family, c/o Eleanor Hessling, 205 West Sherman Street, Caro, MI 48723 or to a charity of the donor's choice.