DAVID LEE AIKENS

David was born on Sept. 12, 1936, in Alpena to the late Gordon and Mabel (Smith) Aikens. He served in the United States Navy, retiring after 22 years. On Sep. 6, 1958, he married Dell Lynn McDonnell. She preceded him in death on May 2, 2021. David worked at Thunder Bay Transportation for 19 years driving special needs people to work and Pied Piper School. He was a member of St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus. David was an avid runner, competing in numerous 5k’s, last competing at 80 years old. He especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Surviving are his six children, Mary Burns, Denise (Denny) Grulke, Karen (Dale) Haugen, Brian (Christine) Aikens, Julie (Charles) Ferguson-Powers, Gordon (JoAnne) Aikens, daughter-in-law, Melanie Aikens, 24 grandchildren, 31 great-grandchildren, brother, Stephen (Shirley) Aikens, several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Aikens was preceded in death by his son, Paul Aikens, brother, Ronald Aikens, and sister, Doris Burke.

Visitation will take place on Wednesday at the Bannan Funeral Home from 4-8 p.m. with military honors at 6:30 p.m. by Alpena VFW Post 2496 and a parish prayer service at 7 p.m. Visitation will continue on Thursday at St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church from 10 a.m. until the time of the Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. with the Rev. Tyler Bischoff officiating. For those unable to attend, both the prayer service and Mass of Christian Burial will be live streamed at bannanfuneralhome.com.

Interment: St. Rose Cemetery

Memorials: St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church or Compassus Hospice