Eliab Aikman, 85, 1020 N. Market, Marion, president of E.Blankenship & Co., automotive parts distributor, died at 9:40 pm Wednesday in Marion Memorial Hospital. He was born in the Cedar Grove community north of Marion December 24, 1893 to Edward T. and Ella Gent Aikman. He was married at Murphysboro July 2, 1920 to Blanche Holland who survives with one son, Edward H. Aikman, Marion and daughter, Marielle Aikman, East Lansing MI. His parents and sister, Nora Aikman preceded him in death.
In World War I he served in Co. A, 309th Regiment of the Army Engineers. He went overseas September 20, 1918. He was discharged from the regular army at Camp Grant July 19, 1919 and enlisted in the Reserve Corps in which he served 15 years, ending his service with the rank of Captain. His military service interrupted his college career at the end of his first year at University of Illinois. After his return from military service he embarked upon intesive training in the banking business at the First National Bank at Marion and was employed late in 1919 by the First State Bank of Pittsburg as cashier. On January 1, 1921 he was employed by the Citizens Trust and Banking Co. in Marion where he remained until late in 1930 when the institution consolidated with the Marion State and Savings Bank. He was then employed by the new bank which was known as the Marion Trust and Savings Bank until it was liquidated a year later. At that time he became actively engaged with the late Earl Blankenship in the forming of E. Blankenship and Company, Inc. dealing in automotive replacement parts and served as its president for 46 years. He was instrumental in the formation of United Manufacturing Service, automotive parts distributor in 1967. He was a 50-year member of the Masons and Scottish Rites, Shrine Club, Elks and the American Legion and was among the early members of the Marion Lions Club in 1923. He had also served several terms as a member of the Marion School Board in the 20s and 30s. Funeral services will be at the Wilson Funeral Home conducted by Rev. Carl Hearn and the Rev. William Leckrone. Burial will be in Rose Hill Cemetery.