Ronald J. Austra

Ronald J. Austra, 74, a resident of Larksville, passed into eternal life Tuesday morning, Nov. 22, 2022, in the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, following a valiant battle with cancer.

His loving wife is Deborah A. Yavochak Austra. Ron and Deborah were blessed to share 46 wonderful years of marriage.

Born Oct. 29, 1948, in Larksville, Ronald was the son of the late Joseph Austra and Margaret M. Rinus Austra.

A lifelong resident of Larksville, Ron was a graduate of the former Larksville High School, Class of 1966.

A United States Air Force veteran, Ron honorably served his country for four years during the Vietnam War. Ronald was proud to serve the majority of his time with the 6915th Security Group at the former Hof Air Station, Germany, which was a top-secret radar base. Upon his honorable discharge on April 9, 1971, he attained the rank of staff sergeant.

Ron was employed for 36 years as a foreman for the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT), retiring from there in 2012. Following his retirement from PennDOT, he gained employment with the Wyoming Valley West School District, working for its maintenance department until earlier this year.

A proud veteran, Ron was a member of the American Legion, Post 655, Larksville, and, during his years in the Air Force, he played football.

An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed fishing and hunting and traveling to his cabin during hunting season. He was also a sports enthusiast and diehard fan of the Penn State Nittany Lions. He loved to travel with his family because he was happiest when they were all together and he also enjoyed the countless trips he took to Benezette in Elk County.

Ron's greatest passion in life was spending time with his family and friends. He truly cherished every moment he shared with his loved ones, most especially the time he shared with his grandson, Jayden. Although his presence will be missed beyond measure, he will forever be remembered as a loving and devoted husband, father, grandpa, brother, uncle and friend.

In addition to his parents, Joseph and Margaret Austra, Ron was preceded in death by his brother, Derwood Loveland; and his sisters, Roberta Williams and Nancy Kern.

In addition to his wife, Deborah, Ron is survived by his son, Joseph Austra and his wife, Melissa, Larksville; the pride and joy of his life, his grandson, Jayden Ronald Austra; his brother, Allen Austra and his wife, Cindy, Larksville; his sisters, Elaine Cook and her husband, Arthur, West Nicholson; Jean Visnefski, Wilkes-Barre; and Linda Williams and her husband, Wayne, Larksville; as well as his many nieces and nephews, friends and his beloved dog, Sparkles.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Ron's funeral service which will be held at 4 p.m. Tuesday from Wroblewski Funeral Home Inc., 1442 Wyoming Ave., Forty Fort, with the Rev. Charles Warwick officiating. Military honors will be accorded by the United States Air Force at the conclusion of the funeral service.

Family and friends are invited to attend Ron's viewing which will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.

To send Ron's family a message of condolence, you may visit the funeral home's website, www.wroblewskifuneralhome.com, or Facebook page.