Dr. Lewis Aukes, leaving a legacy

On Wednesday, June 4, at 2 a.m. Dr. Lewis E. Aukes, of Hornersville passed away at National HealthCare Center (NHC) in Kennett.

Aukes had been a resident there since 2012.

Born October 31, 1923, Aukes would have been 91 years old this year.

His life was filled with many honors and accomplishments, but for him, he would have said that his best and most important was marrying, his wife, Pauline Mizell.

A picture of her hung over his bed, as a reminder of their lives together for 64 years.

Aukes was a native of Red Cloud, Nebraska, and while a student at the University of Nebraska in December of 1943, he enlisted in the Army Air Force.

He was an Aerial Flight Engineer and sat between the pilot and co-pilot of a C-54. During his service, he flew 98 hours of combat time over the "hump" out of India into Japan and back.

While stationed at the airbase in Malden in 1944, he met his wife, Pauline, a girl from Hornersville. They dated and married on April 28, 1945.

They moved to Nebraska and later to Illinois. He served eight years active duty, and during that time received six service medals: National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, the American Theatre Ribbon, APT Ribbon (Asian-Pacific Theatre), Good Conduct Medal, and the Victory Ribbon.

Aukes remained in the reserves and resumed his studies in Nebraska. It was not long before the Korean War broke out and he was called to duty again.

He finished his Masters Degree, and then went to Chanute AFB, where he received a Direct Commission in the Air Force and served four years researching high priority projects at the Air Force Research Center.

While there her was commander of the 402 Aero Evac Reserve Squadron flying C-119 cargo planes.

After 8 years of active duty and 18 years reserves, Aukes, finally, retired as a Lt. Colonel.

He received his Masters Degree in Psychology from the University of Nebraska, along with a doctorate from University of Illinois.

Afterward he worked in the office of the Executive Vice-President and Provost of the University of Illinois for 16 years.

In 1986, Aukes retired, and he and Pauline returned to her hometown of Hornersville.

Later he served as mayor of Hornersville, and then he would go on to sit on the city board as alderman.

At the time of his death, he had served 15 years as President of the Dunklin County Board of Trustees of the Dunklin County Library, but his service to the board totaled 22 years.

In 2004, Aukes was inducted to the Dunklin County Library's Hall of Honor for all of his accomplishments.

He was a member of the Hornersville Methodist Church and Chairman of its Administrative Council. At one time he also served as Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Children's Place in Malden and was a highly respected Lay Speaker throughout the state.

Among his many awards was also a Missouri House Resolution recognizing his service and leadership in the interest of and dedication to his community and its citizens.

In 2009, he lost his beloved Pauline, and he then provided the library with the funds to build a new branch facility in Hornersville, as a living memorial to her.

Services for Aukes will be on Friday, June 6, with visitation at 10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m. at the Methodist Church in Hornersville, followed by the service at 11:00 a.m.

Burial will be at the Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Kennett. McDanial Funeral Home of Kennett is in charge of arrangements, and memorials may be made to the Dunklin County Library.