Our History

Austin funeral Home in Whitefish, MT was started by John H. Austin in 1967. John was born in Red Lodge, MT and raised and educated in Wisconsin. John graduated from the San Francisco College of Mortuary Science in 1940. He put his career on hold to serve his country in the United States Navy during World War II and returned to his profession following his honorable discharge. In 1947, he came to Whitefish where he was employed by Waggener and Campbell Inc. managing the Catron Funeral Home. In 1967, he founded and built the Austin Funeral Home which he operated until retiring in 1982, faithfully serving the families of Whitefish for nearly four decades. 

As past-president of the Whitefish Chamber of Commerce, a board member of the Montana Veterans Home, an officer of the American Legion, Whitefish Moose, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Rotary International and numerous other community activities, John leaves a rich legacy of involvement and service to the community of Whitefish.