Austin Wayne Vanhoutan

Austin VanHoutan, 20, of Unionville, MO, died in a vehicle accident in Grundy County, MO, on Friday, March 11, 2016.

Austin Wayne VanHoutan was born in Kirksville, MO, on August 30, 1995. He attended schools in Putnam County, MO, where he participated in baseball and football. Austin married Vanessa Snyder at Hartford Baptist Church on March 29, 2014, and she survives at home. Austin and Vanessa have a daughter, Lydia.

Austin loved the outdoors and anything he could do outdoors. He liked to hunt and fish, he liked to break and ride horses, he liked trail rides on horses and he liked to bull ride. He always liked to be on the go, doing something fun and exciting. He also liked hard work and worked as a ranch hand for Tom Rowland. There he worked cattle, built fence, and rode horses. He was active in Hazel Creek 4-H where he served as president, showed rabbits and was Ag kid of the week on KTVO. Austin had an outgoing personality; he had a mischievous grin that made you wonder what he was up to! Yet he was always pleasant, kind, courteous, respectful and kind to those around him.

In addition to his wife and daughter, Austin is survived by his mother and father, Greg and Jodie VanHoutan, of Unionville, MO. He is also survived by his brothers, Aaron VanHoutan, Cody VanHoutan, and Hunter VanHoutan, all of Unionville, MO; and Zachary Houf of Bloomfield, IA. His grandparents are Veryl and Mary VanHoutan of Kirksville, MO, and Herb and Brenda Houf of Bloomfield, IA. Austin’s in-laws are James and Robin Snyder of Kirksville, MO, and Gwen & Tim Sizemore of South Gifford, MO. He is also survived by his birth mother, Sonya Billington and a half-brother, Kane Martin. Several aunts, uncles and cousins survive, including Karen VanHoutan of Kirksville, MO, and Kimberly (Ryan) Ray of Unionville, MO. Austin’s friend, mentor, and employer, Tom (Brenda) Rowland, survives as well.

Funeral services for Austin VanHoutan will take place at Hartford Baptist Church east of Unionville, at 11:00 am on Thursday, March 17, 2016. Visitation will be at the church on Wednesday, March 16, from 6:00 – 8:00 PM. Interment will be at the Shipley Cemetery north of Hartford.

Memorials are suggested to Vanessa VanHoutan and may be entrusted with Playle and Collins Family Funeral Home, 709 S. 27th St., Unionville, MO 63565.