Aikens

Mike Aikens, 66, of Lynchburg, Va., formerly of Boulder City, Nev., and Butler, passed away suddenly Wednesday, Feb. 23, 2022, at his residence. He was the loving husband of Bea Aikens. High school sweethearts who reconnected later in life, theirs was a love story for the ages.

Born May 12, 1955, in Wormleysburg, Pa., he was a son of the late George Aikens and Doris Brown Aikens.

In addition to his wife Bea, he leaves to cherish his memory two children, Breanne Curtas and husband, Joshua, of Lynchburg, and Joshua Aikens and wife, Meredith, of Carbondale, Colo.; four grandchildren, Avilyn Curtas, Anson Curtas, Rhylinn Aikens and Charli Mae Aikens; brother, Jake Aikens, and wife, Ruthie, of New Cumberland, Pa.; and sister, Bonnie Crandel of Charlotte, N.C.; numerous nieces and nephews; and great-nieces and great-nephews.

Mike was a loving husband, father and grandfather who loved and adored his family. His heart’s delight was being a “Pappy” and “pouring into” the lives of his grandchildren. He received his master’s degree in education from the University of California (California) and his undergraduate degree from Cal State, Pa., where being a part of “Witchey’s Boys” Basketball Team was a benchmark of his college career and the foundation for lifelong friendships.

He was a retired professor of engineering from Butler County Community College with 34 years of service and was a member of Crosspoint Church in Lynchburg, Va., and Hope Church in Boulder City, Nev.

He was one of the founders of the National Science Foundation STEM Guitar Project and most recently enjoyed a career capping experience as a consultant for Gibson Guitar in Nashville, Tenn. Mike was a strong supporter of Urban Mountain Adventures and enjoyed playing the guitar, mountain biking, fishing and guitar building.

In all he did, Mike’s heart, actions and friendships were steered by his love for the Lord Jesus Christ and his guiding motto; “Mike, you love the people. I’ll do the rest.”

AIKEN — A Celebration of Mike’s Life will be conducted at 2 p.m. Saturday in Faith Community Church, 1120 Drexel Hills Blvd., New Cumberland, Pa. (livestreamed on the church’s Facebook page), followed immediately by a fellowship meal at the church. The family wishes to honor Mike as he lived — in love, in joy and in jeans. No suits.

In keeping with the man Mike was, flowers or tributes are unnecessary. As the family knows that some will have a desire in the hearts to “do something,” the following charities are near and dear to their hearts:

Lanie’s Hope – Gambling Addiction Recovery Advocacy

https://lanieshope.org

Coach Myles Witchey Scholarship Fund

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1xyunZSog1KrcB0NgPVwF8BSDg50baqr5/view

Urban Mountain Adventures

http://www.urbanmountainadventures.org

Please sign the guest book at www.butlereagle.com.