George W. Erickson

George W. Erickson, Sr., 94, of St. Joseph, passed away at Lakeland Hospital of complications from a broken hip. He is now at peace. A Celebration of Life Eternal will be held 1:00 P.M. Tuesday at Trinity Lutheran Church, Court & Market St., St. Joseph. After his burial at Riverview Cemetery, a luncheon will be served in the church hall. Friends may call from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday at Stark & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Road. Donations may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church or Sarrett Nature Center. Those wishing to sign George's memory book may do so online at www.starks-menchinger.com. George, a resident of the Whitcomb Senior Residence, and a lifelong resident of St. Joseph, was born October 4, 1916 to John & Minnie (Carlson) Erickson. His father emigrated to the U.S. from Sweden when he was 12, was a self-taught engineer and inventor who established a business in St. Joseph and was a consultant for the Water Works. He was one of the first in the area to have an electric car. George was preceded in death by his wife Sophie and siblings Robert Erickson, Irene Thead, Eleanor Schlitter, Alice Erickson, John Erickson and Betty Cutler. Surviving are his children George Jr. (Phyllis) of Grand Ledge, Mich.; Marian Erickson of Lansing, Mich.; and Annette Schrag of St. Joseph, Mich.; six grandchildren-Kimberly, Michael, Darrell Jr., Brian, Bradley & Leslie; and 7 great-grandchildren-Joseph, Amanda, Jessica, Cooper, Sophie, Violet, Kyle, Lilly & Sawyer. A fan of Lake Michigan, it was difficult to get George out of the water, even in March, when he posed for photos on an iceberg. Indoors he was a center on the basketball court at St. Joseph High School, Class of 1935, where he met Sophie, his future wife of 54 years. Sophie was such an ardent fan of George’s basketball skills, it is rumored the refs often had to stop the basketball game because her screams of support were mistaken for the ref’s whistle. George (nicknamed Porge) was also on the football and tennis teams. After graduating from high school, he pursued a dream to travel by touring the Mediterranean for 6 weeks with friends on the ship “Exeter.” In exchange for room and board, he worked preparing meals in the ship’s kitchen. This no doubt was probably the last time he peeled potatoes as he left the role of chef to his wife. His passion was music. George took piano lessons soon after his marriage and his hands rarely left the keys until he had a severe stroke at 87. Until he bought a piano, he would practice at the local high school before going to work as a shipping supervisor at Industrial Rubber Co. He also worked at Leco Corporation. George was a kind and gentle man. A husband who never stopped loving his wife. A father who never said a harsh word to his family. A man who amazed you with his amazing memory. A man who could charm you with his puns and colorful stories — like when he and his high school buddies positioned a Volkswagen on the front steps of the school for a joke. There were many more colorful tales. George liked to gather with friends to play pinochle and poker. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church where he served in various volunteer capacities. After Sophie died of breast cancer in 1993. he volunteered with Lakeland Hospital. A sign posted on his refrigerator read: “Who needs my help? Do somebody a favor. Call someone.”