In Memory Of
Joseph D. Aunkst
1929
2014
Joseph D. Aunkst
March 28, 1929 — November 7, 2014
Joseph Daniel Aunkst of Topeka died on Friday, November 7, 2014. He was born in Delaware Township, PA on March 28, 1929 and grew up in Watsontown, PA.
After joining the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1946, he served one tour during the Corps' transition to the U.S. Air Force. He was honorably discharged in 1950 and took a position as correctional officer at Alcatraz Federal Prison. Seven months as a guard at "The Rock" proved unfulfilling so he reenlisted in the USAF in 1951, going on to serve sixteen more years as a cryptography operator in Japan, Germany, Alaska, Spain, Newfoundland, Geneva-Hague, and CONUS.
Upon his retirement, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served the intelligence community for another fifteen years in Korea and numerous bases in the U.S. and Europe.
He retired a second time in 1974 and accepted a position as PME Scheduler for the 190th Air Refueling Wing at Forbes Field in Topeka. After fifteen years, he retired a third time and enjoyed it by gardening vegetables, grapes, and roses. He loved to cook (and eat), enjoyed bird watching, following sports, and adding to the quality of other's lives.
He belonged to Kansas Emergency Management, American Legion, German American Club, VFW, and was a lifelong member of D.A.V.
He was a member of Hope Lutheran Church of Topeka, where he served as an elder and president of his congregation. He attended worship there for forty years together with the greatest love of his life, Marie Elisabethe "Tilly" Aunkst, whom he met while on assignment in Germany and married on December 24, 1954; she preceded him in death on June 4, 2011.
Also preceding were his parents, Henry C. and Bessie B. Aunkst, siblings David, William, Eva, Joan and Mary Ellen.
He is survived by siblings Jack, Alta Mae, Carolyn "Toot", Barb, Polly, and Betsy, his daughter Brigitte A. McCall, grandsons Joseph (Sherry) Fergel and James (Jeanette) Fergel, granddaughter, Joyce A. Fergel, four great-grandchildren, Edwin "Eddie", Jessica, James "Jimmy", Jenna Fergel, and one great-great-grandson, Jordan.
Joseph will lie in state at Penwell-Gabel Southeast Chapel from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Monday, November 10.
Funeral services will be on Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11 at Hope Lutheran Church in Topeka at 10:00 a.m., with full military honors graveside at 11:15 a.m. at Mount Hope Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hope Lutheran Church, 2636 SE Minnesota Ave., Topeka, KS 66605-1642.
To share a special memory of Joseph or to leave a message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.
After joining the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1946, he served one tour during the Corps' transition to the U.S. Air Force. He was honorably discharged in 1950 and took a position as correctional officer at Alcatraz Federal Prison. Seven months as a guard at "The Rock" proved unfulfilling so he reenlisted in the USAF in 1951, going on to serve sixteen more years as a cryptography operator in Japan, Germany, Alaska, Spain, Newfoundland, Geneva-Hague, and CONUS.
Upon his retirement, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and served the intelligence community for another fifteen years in Korea and numerous bases in the U.S. and Europe.
He retired a second time in 1974 and accepted a position as PME Scheduler for the 190th Air Refueling Wing at Forbes Field in Topeka. After fifteen years, he retired a third time and enjoyed it by gardening vegetables, grapes, and roses. He loved to cook (and eat), enjoyed bird watching, following sports, and adding to the quality of other's lives.
He belonged to Kansas Emergency Management, American Legion, German American Club, VFW, and was a lifelong member of D.A.V.
He was a member of Hope Lutheran Church of Topeka, where he served as an elder and president of his congregation. He attended worship there for forty years together with the greatest love of his life, Marie Elisabethe "Tilly" Aunkst, whom he met while on assignment in Germany and married on December 24, 1954; she preceded him in death on June 4, 2011.
Also preceding were his parents, Henry C. and Bessie B. Aunkst, siblings David, William, Eva, Joan and Mary Ellen.
He is survived by siblings Jack, Alta Mae, Carolyn "Toot", Barb, Polly, and Betsy, his daughter Brigitte A. McCall, grandsons Joseph (Sherry) Fergel and James (Jeanette) Fergel, granddaughter, Joyce A. Fergel, four great-grandchildren, Edwin "Eddie", Jessica, James "Jimmy", Jenna Fergel, and one great-great-grandson, Jordan.
Joseph will lie in state at Penwell-Gabel Southeast Chapel from 6:00-8:00 p.m. on Monday, November 10.
Funeral services will be on Veterans Day, Tuesday, November 11 at Hope Lutheran Church in Topeka at 10:00 a.m., with full military honors graveside at 11:15 a.m. at Mount Hope Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hope Lutheran Church, 2636 SE Minnesota Ave., Topeka, KS 66605-1642.
To share a special memory of Joseph or to leave a message for his family, please visit the guestbook below.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Joseph D. Aunkst, please visit our flower store.
Service Schedule
Past Services
Visitation
Monday, November 10, 2014
6:00 - 8:00 pm (Central time)
Dove Cremations & Funerals - Southeast
Service
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
Starts at 10:00 am (Central time)
Hope Lutheran Church
Guestbook
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