The son of John Alexander Aikin and Mildred Marie Mitchell, Larry was born and raised in Madison County, Illinois.
He worked for the Roxana Community School District for more than 20 years as a custodian and maintenance man. It was said that he would be remembered as being a "fixer of all things."
Larry was a captain in the South Roxana Volunteer Fire Department. At 5 p.m. on the afternoon of 18 Aug 2002, he and another off-duty fireman were helping a third off-duty fireman build a garage at his home in the Audobon Acres subdivision when they heard a loud screeching noise, followed by a crash and a girl's scream.
The 3 jumped in the garage owner's truck and drove to the scene of the wreck on Illinois Route 111, where they saw flames shooting out from underneath the hood of a black 1985 4-door BMW. A 16-year-old girl was trapped in the driver's seat.
2 passers-by were trying to pull a 16-year-old female passenger out of the car when they arrived. Larry grabbed a fire extinguisher from the back of the truck and went to work putting out the fire that was coming up from the engine compartment and the firewall area below.
Another man ran up with 2 bottles of drinking water which were used to put out the fire on the driver's legs. Larry said later that he knew the driver was having too much trouble breathing for him to use the fire extinguisher inside the car.
The men also worked to help the occupants of a second car that was involved in the wreck until firefighters from the Rosewood Heights Fire Protection District and the Wood River Fire Department arrived at the scene. They were eventually able to get the BMW driver out of the car, and she was transported to Barnes-Jewish Hospital by helicopter in critical but stable condition.
Witnesses told police that it was the actions of Larry and the other 2 volunteer firefighters who saved the driver from burning to death inside her car.
At an awards ceremony in Springfield, Illinois that was held in May of 2003, Larry was presented with a certificate of recognition for his dedication to service and community. Of the 3 friends who responded so quickly, a second also received a certificate of recognition. The third, who was the owner of the garage being built, was awarded a Medal of Honor for his efforts to hold the young girl's neck in place until rescue personnel arrived.
Larry married Mrs. Vicky Ann (nee Lewis) Crane on 01 May 2009 in Edwardsville, Illinois. She was the daughter of Leonard Lewis and Eula Mae Reece. Vicky was a homemaker and the mother of 1 daughter and 2 sons at the time of their marriage.
Larry became a member of the South Roxana Dad's Club. In addition to spending time with his family, he was an avid fisherman. Vicky enjoyed camping, fishing and spending time with her grandchildren.
Vicky passed away in 2015.
Larry lived until 2022. He died at Alton Memorial Hospital at the age of 59 years, 2 months and 29 days.
He was survived by 1 step-daughter and her husband; 3 grandchildren, including a set of twins; and 1 brother.
In addition to his mother and father, Larry was preceded in death by an aunt, Dorothy Mitchell.
Visitation was held from 4 p.m. until the beginning of a Celebration of Life Memorial service at 6 p.m. on 04 Aug 2022 at Marks Mortuary in Wood River.
Children: 1 step-daughter.
Step-father of:
(Living) Crane Zimmerman
He worked for the Roxana Community School District for more than 20 years as a custodian and maintenance man. It was said that he would be remembered as being a "fixer of all things."
Larry was a captain in the South Roxana Volunteer Fire Department. At 5 p.m. on the afternoon of 18 Aug 2002, he and another off-duty fireman were helping a third off-duty fireman build a garage at his home in the Audobon Acres subdivision when they heard a loud screeching noise, followed by a crash and a girl's scream.
The 3 jumped in the garage owner's truck and drove to the scene of the wreck on Illinois Route 111, where they saw flames shooting out from underneath the hood of a black 1985 4-door BMW. A 16-year-old girl was trapped in the driver's seat.
2 passers-by were trying to pull a 16-year-old female passenger out of the car when they arrived. Larry grabbed a fire extinguisher from the back of the truck and went to work putting out the fire that was coming up from the engine compartment and the firewall area below.
Another man ran up with 2 bottles of drinking water which were used to put out the fire on the driver's legs. Larry said later that he knew the driver was having too much trouble breathing for him to use the fire extinguisher inside the car.
The men also worked to help the occupants of a second car that was involved in the wreck until firefighters from the Rosewood Heights Fire Protection District and the Wood River Fire Department arrived at the scene. They were eventually able to get the BMW driver out of the car, and she was transported to Barnes-Jewish Hospital by helicopter in critical but stable condition.
Witnesses told police that it was the actions of Larry and the other 2 volunteer firefighters who saved the driver from burning to death inside her car.
At an awards ceremony in Springfield, Illinois that was held in May of 2003, Larry was presented with a certificate of recognition for his dedication to service and community. Of the 3 friends who responded so quickly, a second also received a certificate of recognition. The third, who was the owner of the garage being built, was awarded a Medal of Honor for his efforts to hold the young girl's neck in place until rescue personnel arrived.
Larry married Mrs. Vicky Ann (nee Lewis) Crane on 01 May 2009 in Edwardsville, Illinois. She was the daughter of Leonard Lewis and Eula Mae Reece. Vicky was a homemaker and the mother of 1 daughter and 2 sons at the time of their marriage.
Larry became a member of the South Roxana Dad's Club. In addition to spending time with his family, he was an avid fisherman. Vicky enjoyed camping, fishing and spending time with her grandchildren.
Vicky passed away in 2015.
Larry lived until 2022. He died at Alton Memorial Hospital at the age of 59 years, 2 months and 29 days.
He was survived by 1 step-daughter and her husband; 3 grandchildren, including a set of twins; and 1 brother.
In addition to his mother and father, Larry was preceded in death by an aunt, Dorothy Mitchell.
Visitation was held from 4 p.m. until the beginning of a Celebration of Life Memorial service at 6 p.m. on 04 Aug 2022 at Marks Mortuary in Wood River.
Children: 1 step-daughter.
Step-father of:
(Living) Crane Zimmerman
The son of John Alexander Aikin and Mildred Marie Mitchell, Larry was born and raised in Madison County, Illinois.
He worked for the Roxana Community School District for more than 20 years as a custodian and maintenance man. It was said that he would be remembered as being a "fixer of all things."
Larry was a captain in the South Roxana Volunteer Fire Department. At 5 p.m. on the afternoon of 18 Aug 2002, he and another off-duty fireman were helping a third off-duty fireman build a garage at his home in the Audobon Acres subdivision when they heard a loud screeching noise, followed by a crash and a girl's scream.
The 3 jumped in the garage owner's truck and drove to the scene of the wreck on Illinois Route 111, where they saw flames shooting out from underneath the hood of a black 1985 4-door BMW. A 16-year-old girl was trapped in the driver's seat.
2 passers-by were trying to pull a 16-year-old female passenger out of the car when they arrived. Larry grabbed a fire extinguisher from the back of the truck and went to work putting out the fire that was coming up from the engine compartment and the firewall area below.
Another man ran up with 2 bottles of drinking water which were used to put out the fire on the driver's legs. Larry said later that he knew the driver was having too much trouble breathing for him to use the fire extinguisher inside the car.
The men also worked to help the occupants of a second car that was involved in the wreck until firefighters from the Rosewood Heights Fire Protection District and the Wood River Fire Department arrived at the scene. They were eventually able to get the BMW driver out of the car, and she was transported to Barnes-Jewish Hospital by helicopter in critical but stable condition.
Witnesses told police that it was the actions of Larry and the other 2 volunteer firefighters who saved the driver from burning to death inside her car.
At an awards ceremony in Springfield, Illinois that was held in May of 2003, Larry was presented with a certificate of recognition for his dedication to service and community. Of the 3 friends who responded so quickly, a second also received a certificate of recognition. The third, who was the owner of the garage being built, was awarded a Medal of Honor for his efforts to hold the young girl's neck in place until rescue personnel arrived.
Larry married Mrs. Vicky Ann (nee Lewis) Crane on 01 May 2009 in Edwardsville, Illinois. She was the daughter of Leonard Lewis and Eula Mae Reece. Vicky was a homemaker and the mother of 1 daughter and 2 sons at the time of their marriage.
Larry became a member of the South Roxana Dad's Club. In addition to spending time with his family, he was an avid fisherman. Vicky enjoyed camping, fishing and spending time with her grandchildren.
Vicky passed away in 2015.
Larry lived until 2022. He died at Alton Memorial Hospital at the age of 59 years, 2 months and 29 days.
He was survived by 1 step-daughter and her husband; 3 grandchildren, including a set of twins; and 1 brother.
In addition to his mother and father, Larry was preceded in death by an aunt, Dorothy Mitchell.
Visitation was held from 4 p.m. until the beginning of a Celebration of Life Memorial service at 6 p.m. on 04 Aug 2022 at Marks Mortuary in Wood River.
Children: 1 step-daughter.
Step-father of:
(Living) Crane Zimmerman
He worked for the Roxana Community School District for more than 20 years as a custodian and maintenance man. It was said that he would be remembered as being a "fixer of all things."
Larry was a captain in the South Roxana Volunteer Fire Department. At 5 p.m. on the afternoon of 18 Aug 2002, he and another off-duty fireman were helping a third off-duty fireman build a garage at his home in the Audobon Acres subdivision when they heard a loud screeching noise, followed by a crash and a girl's scream.
The 3 jumped in the garage owner's truck and drove to the scene of the wreck on Illinois Route 111, where they saw flames shooting out from underneath the hood of a black 1985 4-door BMW. A 16-year-old girl was trapped in the driver's seat.
2 passers-by were trying to pull a 16-year-old female passenger out of the car when they arrived. Larry grabbed a fire extinguisher from the back of the truck and went to work putting out the fire that was coming up from the engine compartment and the firewall area below.
Another man ran up with 2 bottles of drinking water which were used to put out the fire on the driver's legs. Larry said later that he knew the driver was having too much trouble breathing for him to use the fire extinguisher inside the car.
The men also worked to help the occupants of a second car that was involved in the wreck until firefighters from the Rosewood Heights Fire Protection District and the Wood River Fire Department arrived at the scene. They were eventually able to get the BMW driver out of the car, and she was transported to Barnes-Jewish Hospital by helicopter in critical but stable condition.
Witnesses told police that it was the actions of Larry and the other 2 volunteer firefighters who saved the driver from burning to death inside her car.
At an awards ceremony in Springfield, Illinois that was held in May of 2003, Larry was presented with a certificate of recognition for his dedication to service and community. Of the 3 friends who responded so quickly, a second also received a certificate of recognition. The third, who was the owner of the garage being built, was awarded a Medal of Honor for his efforts to hold the young girl's neck in place until rescue personnel arrived.
Larry married Mrs. Vicky Ann (nee Lewis) Crane on 01 May 2009 in Edwardsville, Illinois. She was the daughter of Leonard Lewis and Eula Mae Reece. Vicky was a homemaker and the mother of 1 daughter and 2 sons at the time of their marriage.
Larry became a member of the South Roxana Dad's Club. In addition to spending time with his family, he was an avid fisherman. Vicky enjoyed camping, fishing and spending time with her grandchildren.
Vicky passed away in 2015.
Larry lived until 2022. He died at Alton Memorial Hospital at the age of 59 years, 2 months and 29 days.
He was survived by 1 step-daughter and her husband; 3 grandchildren, including a set of twins; and 1 brother.
In addition to his mother and father, Larry was preceded in death by an aunt, Dorothy Mitchell.
Visitation was held from 4 p.m. until the beginning of a Celebration of Life Memorial service at 6 p.m. on 04 Aug 2022 at Marks Mortuary in Wood River.
Children: 1 step-daughter.
Step-father of:
(Living) Crane Zimmerman
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