Tony Augustine, 66, of Danville, IL passed away July 22 at his home. His celebration of life will be September 7 with specific details to be published later.  

Tony was born January 8, 1958, a son of Lowell and Pearle Augustine (Hogsett). Tony grew up in rural Blue Mound, Illinois. He raised and showed sheep, was active in 4-H and FFA, and ran cross country and track.  

In April of Tony’s senior year of high school, he contracted meningococcal meningitis.  Complications developed, circulation was compromised and both arms and some toes had to be amputated. Tony endured many surgeries, painful skin grafts and side effects of powerful prescription drugs. While he never regained a taste for jello after months in the hospital, Tony overcame countless challenges that accompanied his amputations and prosthetics. 

   Tony graduated from Blue Mound High School in 1976 and from the College of Agriculture at the University of Illinois in 1981. He began working for the USDA Farm Service Agency in 1983. Tony served as the Vermillion County Executive Director for 37 years. During that time, he served as the Regional Director of the Illinois Association of County Office Employees (IASCOE).  Tony retired from the USDA at the end of 2020.

  While living in Danville, Tony joined the Kennekuk Road Runners Club whose mission is to have fun and give back to the community. Tony ran some and later encouraged fellow runners by driving a support van. Another feat Tony accomplished was the Indianapolis Bop to the Top, a 36-story stair climb that benefited the Riley Children’s Fund. He also served on the Board of the Georgetown Fair for several years. Tony was a life-long Illini fan enjoying numerous tailgates, football, basketball and volleyball games. His love of the Olympics took him to Australia for the summer games and Salt Lake City for the winter games. Tony was especially fond of taking road trips which included stops at places he learned of from Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives.   

Anyone who knew Tony recognized that he really had the best outlook on life. The steel hooks that replaced his hands did not limit Tony. He truly believed in living life to the fullest. He valued hard work and taking time to relax whether that be with friends, family or a good book or an interesting article. Holidays and events spent with family were always special to Tony.  

Tony’s parents, Lowell and Pearle, and step-parents, Grace Augustine and Ordie Hogsett preceded him in death. Surviving family members include his sister, Kathy Augustine Amos of Ogden, Utah and brother, Bill (Sue) Augustine of Malta, Illinois. Tony’s two nieces are Joy (Scott) Jones of Prairie Village, Kansas and Cristina (Paul) Berkholder of Roy, Utah and his nephew is Paul (Jami) Augustine of DeKalb, Illinois. Great-nieces and great-nephews include Addison Jones, Justin Jones, Ronan Berkholder and Riene Berkholder. Also surviving are his close friends and neighbors, Sam Mayer Huff and Richard Huff.