Allen Van Dozier Eikner died on February 21 in Elfindale Manor in Springfield, Mo. He was born in Aberdeen, Mississippi on December 26, 1919, and graduated from high school there in 1937. He married his high school sweetheart, Clara Bess Edie, on May 25, 1941. They became the parents of three children, John Allen, David Edie and Jo Ellen. He was preceded in death by his parents, Leonard E. and Sarah B. (Vesey) Eikner; his sister, Ellen V. Hillbolt; his brothers, Leonard M. Eikner and Robert E. Eikner; and grandson, Joshua A. Eikner. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Clara Bess (Edie) Eikner; his children and their spouses, John and Elaine (Griffin) Eikner of Houston, Texas, David and Shay (Fotie) Eikner of Fort Collins, Colorado and Jo Ellen and Eric Fuentes of Raytown, Missouri; his grandchildren, Jason A. Eikner and wife Amy of Houston, Texas, Matthew D. Eikner of Fort Collins, Colorado; Benjamin A. Fuentes and wife Rachel of St Louis, Missouri; Rachel D. Fuentes of Raytown, Missouri; his great-grandsons, Eli and Van Eikner of Houston Texas; and a brother, James W. Eikner. He is also survived by a nephew and seven nieces. He was a professor of Philosophy and Religion at Drury University for 31 years, and served as Vice President of Academic Affairs and Dean of the College for 5 years. He was an ordained minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and served churches in Missouri, New York, Tennessee, and Kentucky in the various capacities of student minister, interim minister, guest minister and minister. He was a graduate of Chillicothe Business College, and earned degrees at Drury University, Union Theological Seminary (New York City), and Vanderbilt University. He received an honorary degree from Drury University. He was a veteran of World War II and served in the European Theater of Operations as an Infantryman. Memorial service will be held at South Street Christian Church at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 26, under the care of Gorman-Scharpf Brentwood Chapel. The body has been cremated. The family wishes to thank St. John's Hospice for their care and concern. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to Drury University or South Street Christian Church.
