E. Wayne Erickson's Obituary
Einar Wayne Erickson passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 2, 2020 just 2 days before his 85th birthday. He was born at Swedish Covenant Hospital in Chicago on May 4, 1935 to the late Einar and Astrid (Anderson) Erickson. He spent his growing up years on a farm in Palatine, Illinois and in 1953 enrolled at the University of Illinois, Chicago branch. In 1955 he joined the United States Coast Guard and served until 1959. His years in the Coast Guard were spent in and around the Great Lakes and West Michigan. On September 14, 1958 he married the former Mary Agnes Olsen in Muskegon and she survives him. In 1959, they moved to the Chicago suburbs and spent 10 years in that area. In 1969, the love of West Michigan and the Great Lakes, brought them back to the Muskegon area. Wayne and his brother, Don spent their lives working together. First, they worked at Elgin Tool Works in Chicago and later in Whitehall. In 1972, they founded Erickson Construction and worked in the construction business for 40 years, retiring in 2015. He is survived by his wife of almost 62 years, Mary; his sons, Paul (Amy) of Walker and Phil (Jana) of North Muskegon; grandchildren, Andrew (Laura) Erickson, Kayleigh (James) Kuklewski, both of Grand Rapids, Teddy Johanna, and Ben Erickson of North Muskegon; great-grandchildren, Parker and Jo Kuklewski; Vyla Erickson and step-great-grandchildren, Gabe Ferguson; sister-in-law, Leone Erickson; his sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Sharon and Tom Hagen and Kathy and Dale Vanlier and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his brother-in-law, David Olsen; his granddaughter, Ingrid Erickson and his brother, Don Erickson. He attended Olivet Evangelical Free Church for 50 years. He served on the church board and was the High School Youth Leader for 7 years. After that, he worked with the Middle School Kids for 25 years. He loved the boys and girls of Olivet, they were his friends.
His Memorial Service will be held next year. For a more lasting memorial donations can be made to Spring Hill Camps, P.O. Box 100, Evart, MI 49631 or the Muskegon Rescue Mission. Interment has taken place at Fort Custer National Cemetery, Battle Creek, Michigan.
Shoreline Memorial Services of Muskegon Ph. 231-722-5050
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