Dr. Philip M. Auner

Dr. Philip M. Auner, 86, of Belleville, IL, born Tuesday, April 3, 1923, in Khandwa, India, died Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at Dammert Geriatric Center in Belleville.

Born in India, he was the son of Methodist missionaries to India, Orval Marion Auner and Nellie Abigail Auner.

Dr. Auner was a Family Practice Physician. He graduated from Woodstock School in the Himalayas at the age of 16. He then went to Springfield, MO and entered SMSU. He served in the Army and Air Corp as a B24 pilot in Italy during World War II. Upon returning, he attended medical school at University of Missouri and graduated from Washington University in 1953.

He was a member of Signal Hill United Methodist Church, St. Clair County and Illinois State Medical Society, American Medical Association and Family Practice Association. He was President of Christian Welfare Hospital Medical Staff and Memorial Hospital Medical Staff, and a staff member at St. Elizabeth's, Centreville, St. Mary's and Christian Welfare Hospitals. He was a volunteer and former Board Member of Beacon of Belleville. He loved sailing, astronomy and navigation and was active in the St. Louis Sail and Power Squadron.

He is preceded in death by:

  • Wife: Margaret "Ailene", nee Boley, Auner
  • Parents: Orval M. and Nellie, nee Wilson, Auner
  • Daughter: Rebecca Hankins
  • Brothers:
    • Cecil Auner
    • Thomas Auner
He is survived by:
  • Daughters
    • Janet (Tom) Wissehr of Smithton, IL
    • Julie (Joe) Hecksher of Charlotte , NC
    • Gretchen (Paul) Phillips of Belleville, IL
  • Son: Michael (Karen) Baker of Lenexa, KS
  • Special Friend: Jan Klinger of Belleville, IL
  • Grandchildren
    • Rachel Hankins
    • Sarah (Stephen) Price
    • Katie Wissehr
    • Kurt Wissehr
    • Anna Hecksher
    • Sam Hecksher
    • William Phillips
    • Jacob Phillips
    • Derek Baker
    • Hanna Baker
    • Stephen Baker
    • Dominic Baker
  • Son-in-Law: Eric (Janet) Hankins of Clinton, MO
  • Brother-in-Law: Clarence (Loretta) Boley of Cadiz, KY
  • Sisters-in-Law
    • Rudy Auner of Springfield, MO
    • Eleanor Auner of Pensacola, FL
The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at the apartment community, the St. Francis Center and the Dammert Center at the Shrine of Our Lady of the Snow's.

Memorials: Memorials may be made to Beacon of Belleville, Signal Hill United Methodist Church or Hospice of Southern Illinois.

Visitation: Friends may call from 4-8 P.M., Friday, December 4, 2009 at the Kurrus Funeral Home, Belleville, IL and from 10-11 A.M., Saturday, December 5, 2009 at Signal Hill United Methodist Church, Belleville, IL.

Funeral: Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, December 5, 2009 at Signal Hill United Methodist Church, with Rev. Peter Wehrly officiating. Interment will follow at Valhalla Gardens of Memory, Belleville, IL.