John Aiken Iii

Battle of the Bulge POW from Washington John Aiken III, 84, of Washington, died at 8:05 p.m. Tuesday, December 17, 2002, in Washington County Health Center, Washington, following a lengthy illness. He was born December 17, 1918, in Pittsburgh, a son of John Sr. and Sara Diana Dunning Aiken. Mr. Aiken was a 1937 graduate of East Washington High School and a 1941 graduate of Washington & Jefferson College. He enlisted as a private in First Battalion 110th Infantry Pennsylvania National Guard where he served for 37 years in the U.S. Army Reserve Pennsylvania National Guard, including a tour of active duty during World War II and Korea. He retired as a lieutenant colonel and was subsequently promoted to full colonel by Pennsylvania National Guard Retired. Mr. Aiken was a prisoner of war in the Battle of the Bulge from December 20, 1944, until June 2, 1945. After serving five years in the military during World War II, he returned to W&J for four years as assistant to the dean before he was recalled to active duty in 1950. He returned in 1953 and was employed by Drakenfield Colors, from which he retired in 1981. Mr. Aiken was a member of Reserve Officers Association, Retired Officers Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8319, Edwin Scott Linton American Legion Post 175, Ex-POW Association, Veterans of Battle of the Bulge, Elks Lodge 776 and Fluck McConnell Post of 28th Division Society. On June 11, 1947, he married Ruth Ann Martin, who survives. Also surviving are a son, John Aiken IV of Canonsburg; a daughter, Melinda A. Baker of Washington; a sister, Mary Linn Siegrist of Zelienople; three grandchildren, Lauren Elizabeth and David John Aiken and Jason Parcell Baker; and a great-grandson. Deceased are two sisters, Sarah Jane Woodward and Eleanor Aiken Campbell. AIKEN - Friends of John Aiken III of Washington, who died Tuesday, December 17, 2002, will be received from 10:30 until 11 a.m., the hour of service, Friday, December 20, in First Presbyterian Church, Washington, with the Rev. Robert J. Campbell officiating. Entombment will be in Washington Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor's choice. A brief reception will follow after the service. Arrangements by William G. Neal Funeral Homes Ltd., 925 Allison Avenue, Washington.