Scott Donald Erickson, 95, of Altona, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family on June 24, 2022 at 8:14 PM.
Don was born at his childhood home in Altona, on April 7, 1927. He was the son of Scott A. and Ernestine E. (Tarleton) Erickson. Don met the love of his life, Rebecca Heller, on a blind date on December 8, 1951 (her birthday). They were married on March 1, 1953 in Geneseo. Surviving Don are his loving wife, Rebecca; children, Nancy (John) Tolar of Mahomet, David (Cheryl) Erickson of Altona, Dan (Terri) Erickson of Altona and Jim (Mary) Erickson of Sterling, Nebraska; grandchildren, Eric (Maca) Tolar, Jacob (Abby) Tolar, Jeffrey Tolar, Scott Erickson, Kyle (Katherine) Erickson, Janiece (Brad) Bizjack, Jamie (Andrew) Thomsen, Matthew Erickson, Micah Erickson; great-grandchildren, Lillian Bizjack, Walker and Anders Erickson, Charlotte and Evelyn Thomsen and Santiago Tolar; sister, Shirley Walker of Savoy, sister-in-law Elizabeth Heller of Lakeland, FL, and sister-in-law and brother-in-law Margaret and Alvin Longman of Naperville, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents and several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
Don attended Altona schools where he participated in band, choir, FFA, and was class president. He graduated as valedictorian in 1944. Don received his FFA American Farmer Degree in 1945 and was awarded a trip to Chicago. He was drafted into the United States Army in October of 1945, served as a hospital corpsman and was honorably discharged on July 4, 1946. Don enjoyed traveling with the Army and considered it a vacation from farm work. In September of 1947, Don enrolled at the University of Illinois, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Agriculture. He was a member of the Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. After graduating college, Don came home and in 1951 became farm business partners with his father. Don served as trustee, elder, Sunday School teacher and Sunday School Superintendent of the former Altona Presbyterian Church. He served as a trustee and chairman of the Administrative board of the United Church of Altona after the merger with the Methodist Church. He was a member of The Grove Community Church of Altona. Don was a 4-H leader, on the Livestock Feeders’ Board, Knox County Extension Council, and was a R.O.V.A. school board member for 11 years. In 1962 he was chosen as the Knox Co. Jaycees’ Outstanding Young Farmer. He was inducted into the Knox Co. Pork Producers’ Hall of Fame in 2004 and into the Illinois 4-H Hall of Fame in 2008. He was a member of the Altona Masonic Lodge for 70 years. Most importantly, Don loved being a husband, father and grandfather. His family was very important to him. In his own words “I’ve been blessed and would not change anything.”
Don’s family would like to extend a very special thank you to Beacon of Hope Hospice and Heart & Home for their compassion, support and care for Don.
Visitation will be held from 5-7 PM on Wednesday, June 29, 2022 at The Grove Community Church, 212 N Depot Street, Altona, IL 61414. Funeral service will be 10 AM, Thursday, June 30, 2022 at The Grove Community Church. Burial will follow services at The Oneida Cemetery. Military rites will be conducted at graveside. Hurd-Hendricks Funeral Homes and Crematory, Oneida have been entrusted with services. Memorials may be made to The Grove Community Church, American Diabetes Association, Beacon of Hope Hospice, or Heart & Home In Home Care. On-line condolences and/or expressions of sympathy may be sent through www.hurd-hendricksfuneralhome.com.
