Jack Edwards Alden, 84, of Columbia passed away Monday, Aug. 15, 2011, at his home after several days of being surrounded by loving friends, neighbors and family. Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Aug. 19, at Memorial Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Memorial Park Cemetery. A visitaiton will be from 9:30 a.m. until the time of service Friday at the funeral home. He was born July 4, 1927, in Shawnee, Kan., the son of the late Ralph Alden and Mary Ann Knipmeyer Alden Nix and stepson of F.H. Nix. After graduating from high school in June 1944 in Evansville, Ind., he entered the U.S. Navy, where he served in the Philippines until August 1945. After receiving an honorable discharge, he returned to Evansville, where he attended college and studied engineering. He then moved to Columbia to apprentice in plumbing under his uncle Alf Knipmeyer. He met Virginia Lee Todd, and they were united in marriage Aug. 16, 1957 He was a union plumber for more than 50 years with local 317 adn 452. Mr. Alden loved working in his garage and was a great handyman. He enjoyed donating his plumbing services to his many friends and family members for their homes. He enjoyed spending time working with antiques, refinishing furniture, watching Missouri Tigers football and basketball games, and playing pitch with family and friends. He is survived by his wife, Virginia of the home; his son, Todd Alden of Columbia; his daughter, Rebecca Alden Barthol and her husband, Craig, and their children, Jaden and Raleigh, of Overland Park, Kan.; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; stepdad; and brother William T. Alden. Memorial contributions may be made to the National Parkinson Foundation, Gift Processing Center, P.O. Box 5018, Hagerstown, MD. 21741-5018. Tibutes can be left online at www.memorialfuneralhomeandcemetery.com