Submitted by: Dan Rich

 

Victor Rudolph Erickson

May 17, 1927 - June 29, 2005

 

South Bend Tribune 7/2/2005

Our loving husband, father, grandfather, and son, Victor Rudolph Erickson, 78, of E. Jefferson Rd, Mishawaka, went to be with the Lord, Wednesday, June 29, 2005 at 11:40 a.m., after a five year battle with melanoma cancer. Born in Mishawaka on May 17, 1927 to Sabina (Yeider) and the late Rudolph "Rudy" Erickson. Along with his father he is preceded in death by one brother, Don Erickson.

He is survived by his loving wife Rachael of Mishawaka; son, Peter (Leslie) Erickson of Mishawaka; three daughters, Janet (Gene) Wilder of Burlington, WV, Diana (Roy) Helmuth of Ellenton, FL, Ingrid (Larry) Christman of Osceola; his mother, Sabina Erickson of Mishawaka; twelve grandchildren, Lori, Barbara, Brad, Seth, Nate, Sonja, April, Racquel, Meghan, Evan, Ericca, and Cory; eight great- grandchildren, Austin, Randy, Nicholas, Breanna, Josephine, Justine, Juliette, and Tyler; three sisters, Gloria Takace, Louise Zehrung, and Marge (Jerry) Hogue all of Mishawaka; and one sister in law, Virginia Erickson of Osceola.

 

Vic was a lifelong area resident and member of Faith Community Church in Osceola since its founding. He was a dedicated servant to the Lord, serving as Deacon, Head Usher, Greeter, and Member of the Board. He received great joy keeping the lawns both at church and at home beautiful. He took great joy in his 1947 Chevy pick-up, which he restored, and enjoyed participating in the annual Memorial Day Parade. Prior to serving his country in the Army during World War II, he worked in "Rudy's Garage" with his dad and brother, a family owned business. Upon return to Mishawaka, he worked in the Studebaker plant, then retired after 40 years of truck driving for Russom Transfer, which became Bender and Lauden.

 

Friends visited with the family from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, July 1, 2005 in Chapel Hill Funeral Home, 10776 McKinley Highway, Osceola. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. SUNDAY, July 3, 2005 in Faith Community Church, 54662 Ash Road, Osceola, with one hour of visitation prior to the service in church. Burial will follow in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens, Osceola. Memorial donations may be made to Faith Community Church. Vic didn't know a stranger, he was admired, respected and loved by all who came to know him. He was a humble man who quietly made himself available to help others whatever the occasion. He would want to be remembered as an ordinary man whom God used to help others.