John Erickson

Dr. John Erickson who died, September 27, 2017 at age 89 in Sterling, IL. John was born April 23, 1928 in Chicago, the son of Ernest I. and Anna (Thelander) Erickson. He was appreciative of his education in the Chicago Public Schools Von Steuben HS and at Augustana College. He earned his Doctor of Medicine Degree at University of Illinois of Chicago in 1951. John and Marian (Johnson) were married June 23, 1951 and enjoyed 66 years of marriage. The close knit family enjoyed many years of prized nightly family dinners together, as well as school and church activities, vacations in Wisconsin, and extensive travel throughout the U.S. John served in the Navy including 10 months in the Korean War as a physician with the 1st Marine Division. Upon discharge he completed his specialty training and entered private practice with the Sterling Rock Falls Clinic in 1957 where he remained until retirement in 1993. He was a diplomat of the American Board of Internal Medicine and a Fellow of the American College of Physicians. He served as instructor in medicine at the University of Illinois from 1957 until 1970. He particularly enjoyed the opportunity to serve as a mentor for senior medical students who joined him for 12 week sessions in which the participated in office, house calls, and daily hospital inpatient care at CGH. Tennis, golf, reading, and singing in his church choirs occupied his leisure hours. He served 9 years on the Sterling Elementary Board of Education and terms on the alumni boards of both Augustana College and the University of Illinois. Following retirement John and Marian spent many years dividing their time between Sterling and St. Petersburg, FL. Survivors include his beloved wife and companion Marian Erickson. DR. Thomas Erickson of Gilbert AZ, John (Manuela) Erickson of Herndon VA, and Jean (John) Wickman of Rockford; 8 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren; and one sister Joan Swedberg of FL. Memorial service will be held at 1PM Friday, October 20, 2017 at New Life Lutheran Church, Sterling. Cremation rites have been accorded. He was preceded in death by his parents ; one daughter Karen McKenzie; stepmother Blanche Erickson, and sister Betty Stake. A memorial has been established to CGH Medical Center Foundation For Health Care and New Life Lutheran Church.