Ellis D. Aves passed away on Friday, March 24, 2000 in Riverside, California after a long battle with cancer.  He was born in Goddard Kansas on February 9, 1920.  He retired from the United States Air Force in July 1966 after a distinguished career of 23 years in airborne and ground communications culminating with his assignment with the 6947th Security Squadron, Key West Florida.  He also served in this capacity while assigned to units in Frankfurt, Germany and Karamürsel, Turkey.
     Earlier, his assignments at March AFB included the 33rd Communications Squadron and the 320th Bomb Wing.  In his army years he flew as radio Operator aboard B-26 medium bombers in Germany and France and acted as waist gunner as required.  During his military career he accumulated 99 combat missions in both the European and Korean theaters, flying later missions in B-29 bombers.
     After his retirement he worked as a Security Officer at the Naval Ordinance Laboratory, Corona, California for about 15 years.
     He was awarded the Korean Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the AFSLA with four oak leaf clusters, the SAFMR and the Air Force Good Conduct Medal with four oak leaf clusters.
     He leaves his beloved wife of 55 years, Lorraine (Pat) A. Aves of Riverside and their daughter Bonnie S. Wusz of Anaheim.  He was predeceased by his daughter Betty A. Aves.  Services under the direction of Acheson and Graham 7944 Magnolia Avenue, Riverside, were held March 28, 2000 at the chapel followed by burial service at the US Veteran's cemetery, Riverside, California.

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