Donald Marshall Aiken, age 86, of Benton, passed away at 4:56 a.m. Monday, May 13, 2019, at his home, surrounded by his family.
Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, May 17, 2019 at the First Christian Church of Benton with Pastor Kurt Sanders officiating. Burial will be in the Masonic and Odd Fellows Cemetery of Benton. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to the funeral hour at 1:00 p.m. on Friday at the First Christian Church. Arrangements are through the Leffler Funeral Home of Benton.
Don was born on November 11, 1932 in Belvidere, Illinois, the son of James Marshall Aiken and Mary Elizabeth (O’Malley) Aiken. He married the former Betty Lee George on September 30, 1960, and she survives.
He was a Benton High School Graduate of the Class of 1950.
Don served his Country in the U.S. Air Force during the Korean War. He would later receive a bachelor’s degree from SIU-Carbondale in 1960.
Don worked for 35 years as a Regional Sales Representative for Portland Cement.
He was Past Master at Benton Masonic Lodge A.F. and A.M. #64, Past Exalted Ruler of B.P.O.E. #1234, member of the Benton American Legion Post #280, V.F.W. Post #2671, and he was a past member of the Boneyard Boccie Club.
Don was a 50+ year member of the First Christian Church Choir.
Surviving is his loving wife of 58 years, Betty L. Aiken of Benton; his children Dan Aiken and wife Christy of Wood Dale, IL, Paula Fuller and husband Rick of Benton, IL, Joel Aiken and wife Missy of Mulkeytown, IL; six grandchildren: Nicci Miller of Benton, Megan Eastwood and husband Travis of West Frankfort, IL, Leah Sullivan and husband Travis of Harrisburg, IL, Michael Basso of Mulkeytown, IL, Drake and Natalie Aiken both of Wood Dale, IL; four great-grandchildren: Ryder Eastwood and Rhett Eastwood both of West Frankfort, IL, Brantlee Miller of Benton, Gunter Sullivan of Harrisburg, IL; a sister-in-law Suzanne Baker of Benton; a brother and sister-in-law Wallie and Peggy George of Pickerington, OH; special niece Alison Myers and husband Rick; special nephew Dale Baker and wife Janetta; nephew Jason George and wife Shari; niece Megan George; close friends Paul and Judy Rose of Benton “whom they were traveling companions and card playing buddies with”.
Don was preceded in death by his parents; a brother Charles “Red” Aiken; a stepbrother Andrew Dunning; and a brother-in-law Arthur Ford Baker.
Memorial contributions may be made to the First Christian Church Fellowship Hall Fund or to Hospice of Southern Illinois and will be accepted at the church on Friday.
To leave online condolences to the family or to share memories of Don, visit www.lpfuneralhome.com
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