Edward J. Erickson Iii

Edward J. Erickson III, age 81 of Iron River, MI, died Thursday, November 12, 2015 at the Iron County Medical Care Facility, Crystal Falls, MI. He was born May 1, 1934 in Iron River, MI, the son of the late Edward and Rose (Lindahl) Erickson. He attended the Palatka , Gaastra, Caspian and Stambaugh schools, graduating in 1952. He was a four-letter winner on the Hilltop football team that won the first Barber Trophy (U.P. Championship) in the 1949 season. He was a three-letter winner on the SHS basketball team, winning the Menominee Range Championship in 1952. He played basketball for Stambaugh AA city team and for the Iron River Redlegs. He played independent basketball for many years for the Iron River Jets. He was an avid follower of the Detroit Tigers, Lions, Pistons and Red Wings. Erickson was employed by Odgers Drilling Company and M.A. Hanna Mining Company for several years before going into business operating Erickson’s 424 Poultry and Beef Farm and later owning Lake States Engineering in Iron River. He worked for the Iron River Reporter for 30 years as its sports and outdoors editor, news and feature writer and before retirement was managing editor. He wrote over 1,000 outdoor columns entitled “The Drumming Log.” Erickson was an avid trout and walleye fisherman, trapping and hunting deer with his sons and daughter Rachel out of Camp Paint Brush in Gibbs City. He maintained a kennel of English Setter dogs, hunting ruffed grouse and woodcock with family and guiding many special friends. An active promoter of the great outdoor experience, he was instrumental in starting the Outdoor Sports Club of Iron County and the Upper Peninsula Sportsmens Alliance. He was its executive director and lobbyist for several years in Lansing. Appointed by then Go. James Blanchard, he served on the Great Lakes Fisheries Advisory Committee as chairman for two terms. In his earlier years, Erickson was a leader in the Boys Brigade and Royal Rangers programs in local churches, emphasizing camping, crafts, safety and teaching Biblical principles. He was past treasurer of the Iron River Township and First Baptist Church in Iron River where he was a member for many years. He was preceded in death by his son Kyle in 1997. He is survived by his wife, Eunice; sons, Lary (Patti) Erickson of Cambridge, MN, William (Lisa) Erickson of Rhinelander, WI, Theodore Maki of Juneau, AK, and Todd (Justine) Maki of Iron Mountain, MI; daughters, Rachel (Jeff) Andreski, Dawn (Gary) Pisoni, and Rhonda (Vance) Aho, all of Iron River, Pamela (Christopher) Everson of Ramsey, MN, and Ginger (John) Furlong of Oconto, WI; brother, Garrett Erickson of Laporte, MN; many grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Visitation will be held Tuesday, November 17, 2015 from 9:00 to 11:45 a.m. at the First Baptist Church of Iron River. Funeral services will follow at 12 p.m. with Pastor Michael Rucinski and Pastor Matt Rappley to officiate. Interment will be in Resthaven Cemetery. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Edward J. Erickson Iii, please visit our flower store.