Michael “Mike” Allen Austin, age 80, passed away at home in St. Louis, Michigan on Tuesday, July 21, 2026. Mike was born to Ira and Dorothy Austin on October 22, 1945 in Alma, Michigan. The oldest of three children, followed by Deborah and Mark, Mike grew up as a “city” kid where baseball in the neighborhood and raising pigeons was his joy. He graduated from Alma High School in 1963, and served in the Army Military Police during Vietnam. After 31 years of employment with the United States Postal Service, he was able to retire from the Alma Post Office. “Mailman Mike” made many friends along his walking route in town, was known for sharing a quick lemonade, making friends with neighborhood dogs, helping patrons in need, and conducting traffic during the occasional fender bender.
Mike married Celine Florian, his wife of 56 years, on Maple Syrup Weekend April 25, 1970 in Shepherd, Michigan. They had four children — Amy Marie, Emily Anne, Michael Patrick, and Jennifer Michelle. Mike loved children, was pleased as punch with each of his babies, and was a supportive, caring husband and father. He coached Michael’s Little League teams, attended all of Jennifer’s sporting events, walked Emily down the aisle to Kristopher on their wedding day, and drove Amy to Cedar Point for her first job away from home.
He was especially proud of his grandsons, Kaden and Konnor Brown, whom he helped care for as they grew from babies to toddlers and beyond. He spent countless hours with them singing lullabies, rocking them to sleep, playing catch (they both ended up playing first base, just like him!), and carting them around the yard on his John Deere tractor.
Mike loved playing baseball and even participated in an open tryout for the Detroit Tigers. He played for many years on the Shepherd men’s slow-pitch softball league as a first baseman. Another important hobby for Mike was raising champion baldhead roller pigeons for both show and performance. He became well-known throughout the pigeon fanciers community for his award-winning pigeon lines, helped influence breeders along the way, and also judged at shows and events. He was a member of the Pine River Pigeon Club, the Bay City Fanciers Club, and the National Pigeon Association. As an animal lover from a young age, he later raised cocker spaniels, chickens, pheasants, quail, and had fun raising homing pigeons.
Mike enjoyed being outside in his yard, flying his birds, fishing, bird-watching, and baking. He loved to plant trees, often found saplings alongside the road, and shared those spoils with family and friends. He was really into music, listened to a wide variety on his stereo system, and took his family to many concerts over the years. When a good song came on, he could never pass up a slow dance with Celine. He will be remembered for his caring heart, sense of humor, his love for his “Sweetcakes” Celine, and his dedication to family.
Mike is survived by his wife Celine, daughters Amy Austin, Emily (Kristopher) Brown, Jennifer Austin, son Michael Austin, grandsons Kaden and Konnor Brown, sister Deb Miller, and brother Mark (Lisa) Austin. He is also survived by in-laws Roseanne Florian, Katie Florian, Elma Florian, John and Linda Florian, and Mike and Judy Florian, and numerous nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by parents Ira and Dorothy (Perry) Austin, parents-in-law William and Bernice (Quinlan) Florian, and in-laws Bill and Sally Florian, Bob Florian, and Jim Florian.
Our family would like to thank the MyMichigan Hospice nurses and staff for their exceptional and compassionate care.
A funeral service will be held for Mike on Saturday, August 1, 2026 at 11:00 a.m. at St. Vincent de Paul Church in Shepherd, Michigan. Visitation will begin at 10:00 am until the time of service. Interment will take place immediately following at St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Irishtown and a luncheon will follow at St. Vincent de Paul Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made online in memory of Mike to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org.
