Alvin Aikens

Alvin Charles Aikens, 53, of Malden, Mo., died Saturday, April 26, 2008, at his residence.

Born April 12, 1955, in Gary, Ind., son of Mary Sargent Aikens and the late Leotis Aikens, Sr., he was employed at U.S. Steel Gary Works (Sheet and Tin Mill) in Gary and was a member of Greater New Jerusalem Full Gospel Church in Gary.

On May 5, 1955, in Crown Point, Ind., he married Dorothy Jones, who survives.

Survivors also include four daughters, Alteichen A. and Candi L. Aikens and Lashanda D. Aikens Santiago, all of Indianapolis, Ind., and Asia Chiquita Aikens, of Merrillville, Ind.; two step-daughters, Cherese Lowe, of Gary and Raitoya Shelton, of Milwaukee, Wis; two step-sons, Clarence Lowe, of Gary and Michael Shelton II, of Milwaukee; his mother, Mary Aikens, of Malden; four brothers, Leroy Aikens and wife, Gail, of Las Vegas, Nev., Leotis Aikens and wife, Doris and Jeffery Morgan Aikens, all of Malden and Anthony Spencer and wife, Deloris, of Kennett; six sisters, Betty Jean Bell and husband, William, Vernita Driver, Elaine Aikens and Maggie Cooper and husband, Danny, all of Gary and Mary Ellen Aikens and Juliette Jamerson, both of Malden and his grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by three brothers, Harold Dean and Ramon Aikens and Albert Cain.

Visitation will begin at 6 p.m., Friday, May 2, at the Bradshaw Funeral Home in Malden.

Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m., Saturday, May 3, at the Bradshaw Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. Charles McWilliams officiating.

Burial will follow in the Macedonia Cemetery at Malden.