Joseph Lokites

Joseph Lokites, 89, of Des Moines, Iowa, passed away peacefully at 12:55 a.m., February 2, 2012, at Mercy Hospice in Johnston, Iowa. Joe was a 1940 graduate of East High School. He enlisted in the Navy, where he served his country as a dive bomber aviator. He earned his wings at Pensacola Naval Air Station in Florida. As an ensign, in his initial carrier landing training, his aircraft named Dauntless suddenly lost power and the engine abruptly stopped. Joe was expelled from the cockpit and into the cold waters of Lake Michigan. The Dauntless crashed on November 24, 1944, but it was recovered from Lake Michigan on April 24, 2009. Joe was interviewed by a Chicago area newspaper, the Daily Herald to recount his story. The Dauntless is now housed in the National Naval Aviation Museum. In 1950, he graduated from Drake University where he also received his master’s degree in 1954.

He was a physical education teacher at Moulton Elementary for 26 years, where he also taught the Moulton Dancers. This was an extracurricular dance class that was held in the early morning before school. He raised pigeons such as Homers and Larks for many years. He also loved gardening and flowers and his yard was always filled with beautiful flowers. He was a neighbor of the week in 1996. The people who lived in his neighborhood loved his yard and his kindness to everyone. Joe is survived by his care taker, Daniel Steil and his two nephews, Ronald and Charles Collins. There are no services planned. In lieu of flowers, memorial can be sent to Mercy Hospice in Johnston, Iowa.

Online condolences may be made at:
www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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