Mary Minnetta Erickson

Mary Minnetta Phelps Erickson, 86, of Danville, passed away at 4:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 07, 2005 at Provena United Samaritans Medical Center in Danville. Minnetta was born on November 3, 1918 in Cairo, Illinois, the daughter of James C. and Mary Josephine (Gwinner) Phelps. She married Earl Swede W. Erickson on April 12, 1941 in St. Louis, Missouri. She is survived by her husband Earl Swede Erickson of Danville; two daughter- Linnea Lee (Rick) Grindley and Tamara Jo (Ron) Schroeder of Effingham, Illinois; five grandchildren- Karl Grindley of Boston, Massachusetts, Keith Grindley of Fort Worth, Texas, Jill Schroeder of Lansing, Michigan, Douglas Schroeder, and Derek Schroeder both of Effingham, Illinois. Minnetta was preceded in death by her parents and three brothers- Don Phelps, Paul Phelps, and Howard Phelps. Minnetta attended Daniel Elementary School where she later taught in 1939. She graduated from Danville High School in 1936. After graduating she attended Eastern Illinois University graduating in 1938 with her teaching degree. In 1969 she graduated from University of Illinois with her Bachelors Degree. Minnetta taught at Rossville-Alvin Grade School for ten years until retiring in 1979. She was a lifetime teacher and devoted to education. She will be lovingly remembered by everyone whose lives she touched. She was a member of First Baptist Church in Danville. She was also a member of the Vermilion County Museum Society and also the Illinois Retired Teachers Association. Minnetta was an artist. She enjoyed doing drawings and ceramics. She also enjoyed gardening, cooking, cross stitching and being a seamstress. She was very involved in the Daniel School Reunion Activitiesat the Beefhouse in Covington. A celebration of the life of Mary Minnetta Phelps Erickson will be at 10:00 a.m. Monday, September 12, 2005 at Sunset Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Danville, with Pastor Ramie Gordon officiating. Visitation will be from 2-6 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Burial will be at Sunset Memorial Park. Memorials may be made in Minnettas name to the Vermilion County Museum Society and Central Park Church of Christ. E-mail condolences may be sent to Minnettas family at: www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.