Carl R. Erickson, 96, of Oneida, Illinois, passed away Tuesday, November 24, 2025, in Galesburg after a short illness.
Carl was born on August 14, 1929, in Galesburg, to Julius and Elsie (Peterson) Erickson. He married Dorene (Fredrickson) on February 20, 1954, at Faith Lutheran Church in Wataga, and they enjoyed 71 years of marriage.
Carl was preceded in death by his parents and his sister, Martha. He is survived by his wife, Dorene, a brother, John (Delores) Erickson, his daughter Diane (Pete) Holmes, his sons David (Nancy) Erickson, Kevin (Michelle) Erickson and Keith (Jean Ann) Erickson, eight grandchildren: Jennifer (Joel) Johnson, Elizabeth (Shane) Tucker, Adam Erickson, Barbara (Ryan) Binkley, Sally (John) Staab, Valerie Erickson (fiancé Ross Tobias), Andrew (Jenni) Erickson, Colin Erickson; ten great-grandchildren: Jayla and Jake Johnson, Bryce, Blaine and Ali Tucker, Hattie and Vivian Binkley, Will Staab and one more on the way, Silas and Stella Erickson, and many nieces and nephews.
Carl was a member of Henderson Grove Messiah Lutheran Church, and then Faith Lutheran Church of Wataga for more than 70 years. He graduated from Rio High School (a 3-year school), and then also graduated the next year from Oneida High School.
Carl was a farmer all his life in the Rio, Galesburg, Victoria, and Altona areas. Carl served on several boards: Knox County Board, ROVA School Board, Knox County Farm Bureau Board, Faith Lutheran Church Council, Knox County Pork Producers Board, Knox County 4-H Youth Council, and the Knox County Extension Council. He was leader of the Victoria Cloverleaf 4-H Club for 15 years. He received the Knox County 4-H Meritorious Service Award, Knox County 4-H Alumni Award, and was inducted into the Illinois 4-H Hall of Fame. He was also inducted into the Knox County Pork Producers Hall of Fame.
He enjoyed spending time with family and attending many events involving his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Carl and Dorene enjoyed spending time at their lake house at Oak Run, taking many fishing trips to Wisconsin with family and friends, and many trips to Branson for Christmas shows.
Visitation will be on Friday, December 5, 2025, from 4-6 p.m. at the Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Service Galesburg Chapel. Funeral services will be held Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 10 a.m., at Faith Lutheran Church in Wataga, Illinois with Pastor Peter Beckman officiating. Interment will be in the Wataga Cemetery immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Faith Lutheran Church, Knox County 4-H Foundation, Knox County Farm Bureau Foundation, or the ROWVA Public Schools Foundation. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.
