Earl W. Erickson

Earl "Swede" W. Erickson, 97, of Danville, passed away at 4:26 p.m. Thursday, August 25, 2011 at Provena United Samaritans Medical Center. Earl was born on August 17, 1914, in Goodwine, Illinois, the son of Carl G. and Frieda H. (Nelson) Erickson. He married Mary "Minnetta" Phelps on April 12, 1941, in St. Louis, Missouri. She preceded him in death on September 7, 2005. He is survived by two daughters- Linnea Lee (Rick) Grindley of Fort Worth, Texas and Tamara Jo (Ron) Schroeder of Effingham, Illinois; five grandchildren- Karl (Christie Bliss) Grindley of Boston, Massachusetts, Keith (Emily) Grindley of Fort Worth, Texas, Jill (Joe) Falk of St. Louis, Missouri, Doug Schroeder and Derek Schroeder both of Creve Cour, Missouri; three great-grandchildren- Addison Grindley, Mason Grindley and Jacklyn Coy; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, two brothers- Eric Erickson and Elmer Erickson, two sisters- Edith Guthrie and Ellen Brown, and his parents who were Swedish immigrants traveling through Ellis Island. Earl attended Goodwine, Wellington and Hoopeston schools. He spent his summers working on family farms. He began his printing career at the Hoopeston Chronicle-Herald in 1935. He continued his career working as a linotype machinist in Danville at the Interstate, Illinois and R & S Printing Companies, until retiring from R & S in 1978. Earl was a member of the Hoopeston Methodist Church, Central Illinois Typo-Graphical Union and a former member of the Danville Elks Lodge and Vermilion County Museum. Earl enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, gardening, reading, working crossword puzzles, carpentry and woodworking. He also enjoyed watching Illinois basketball games and the Chicago Cubs baseball games. Earl was known for his loyalty to family and friends and his strong work ethic as well as being a loving son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather. A Celebration of the life of Earl "Swede" W. Erickson will be at 2:00 p.m. Saturday, September 3, 2011 at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center, a Life Celebration Home, with Pastor Raymie Gordon officiating. Burial will follow the service in Sunset Memorial Park. Visitation will be from 4:00-8:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Memorials may be made in Earl's name to the Vermilion County Museum or to the Central Park Church of Christ. Condolences may be sent to the family at: www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.