COAL CITY — Mr. Frederick C. "Freddie" Erickson, 84, of Coal City and formerly of Mazon, passed away peacefully in his home early Saturday morning, Dec. 4, 2010, with his loving family by his side.
Born July 30, 1926, in Kendall County, Frederick was the son of Thor and Sarah (Enervold) Erickson. He received his education in the Morris schools.
Freddie married Marie L. DeGrush on June 4, 1950, at the Mazon Methodist Church. He was employed with Cargill Grain Elevator in Morris. He farmed for 15 years in Mazon Township, and he was a construction laborer for 18 years. He was also a member of Laborers Local 75 in Joliet, Ill., until retiring in 1987.
Freddie enjoyed fishing, camping, gardening, creating wood crafts and he cherished the time spent with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
He was a former member of Happy Hill Aerie 1024 in Morris and the Coal City Area Club.
Survivors include his loving wife of more than 60 years, Marie; five devoted daughters, Sandra (Dave) Biros of Diamond, Shirley (John Franklin) Sinclair of Morris, Sheryl (B.J.) Fitzpatrick of Braidwood, Ill., Diane (Mike) Marques of Morris and Debra (Jeff) Pierce of rural Verona; 10 grandchildren, Michelle (Steve) Baudino, Sean (Tiffany) Beeler, Chad (Lisa) Beeler, David (Samara Asbridge) Anderson, Jennifer (Kurt) Crater, Jacqueline (Brett) Gould, Heather (Derek Johnston) Rink, Nathan (Jennifer) Rink, Justin (Stephanie) Pierce and Jared Pierce; 17 great-grandchildren and another expected in January 2011; sister, Severne (Paul) Anderson of Morris; brother-in-law, Dale (Carolyn) DeGrush of Mazon; along with several nieces, nephews and cousins.
The family also wishes to thank special caregiver, Barb Cheshareck.
Freddie was preceded in death by his parents; four sisters, Sina Matteson, Marion and Thelma Erickson and Eldora Leranger; son-in-law, James Sinclair; two grandsons in infancy; and nephew, Alan Leranger.
The family will receive friends from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 7, 2010, at U.C. Davis & Sons Funeral Home Ltd., 301 W. Washington St., Morris.
Funeral services will follow at 10:30 a.m.. Wednesday, Dec. 8, at the funeral home. Rev. Christie Callahan will officiate.
Interment will follow at Mazon Cemetery.
Memorial gifts may be directed to the family for distribution to the Coal City Emergency Squad or the Grundy Community Volunteer Hospice.
Online condolences can be extended at www.ucdavisandsons.com.
U.C. Davis & Sons Funeral Home, 301 W. Washington St., Morris, is in charge of arrangements. For more information, call (815) 942-0084.