Kenneth Joseph Aken

Kenneth Joseph Aken was born June 13, 1938, to Anastasia and Kenneth Frederick in the family’s house at 447 Front Ave. SW, New Philadelphia.  He died peacefully, surrounded by family at home on September 24, 2023, and in the loving arms of Mary Ann, his beloved wife of 58 years. 

His extended family includes 4-month-old great granddaughter Laney Jo Knight, who holds his namesake.

“Kenny Joe” attended Sacred Heart School and graduated from St. Joseph High School. He earned his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Dayton, M.B.A. from California Western University, and served his country as a 1^st Lt. artilleryman in the U.S. Army. His expertise in Environmental Engineering was recognized world-wide and his contributions to make the world a safer, healthier place cannot be overstated. His dedication to his faith meant life-long leadership and senior committee roles in Catholic-related charities and organizations too numerous to list. He was a 4^th Degree Knight of Columbus and was posthumously inducted into the Knighthood of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem, the highest lay honor recognized by the Holy See.

Those who knew him as a St. Joe “Rambler” will remember a competitive nature that survived long after his high school years ended. Golf became his preferred pastime and he played with friends all over the world. Ken won multiple Club and Member-Guest championships at Gettysview Country Club. His other passion was travel with his wife and family and he toured churches, art treasures and battle fields across the planet.

Though eminently successful by any measure, Ken lived a pious, stoic, humble and honest life and the loving memory of his steady hand will guide everything we do. We will surely miss, as his beloved bride always calls him, “her Irish man.”

Funeral Mass will be held at Sacred Heart Church, 139 3^rd St. NE New Philadelphia, Ohio on Saturday, December 9, 2023, at 10:30 am. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery, New Philadelphia along with a luncheon at Linn Hert Geib Funeral Home, 116 2^nd St. NE, New Philadelphia, Ohio.