Rev. Dr. Charles O. Erickson

Erickson, The Rev. Dr. Charles
of Kalamazoo The Reverend Dr. Charles O. Erickson of Bronson Place, Kalamazoo, 86, died after a brief illness on July 4, 2011. Born in Sioux City, IA October 10, 1924, he grew up in small towns in South Dakota. Chuck was a US Navy engineering officer in the Pacific during World War II. He earned a BA from Doane College and a Masters in Theology and a Bachelors of Divinity from Chicago Theological Seminary. He was a minister in the United Church of Christ serving churches in Demorest, GA, Haslett, MI, Topeka, KS, Birmingham, MI, and Ft. Pierce, FL. He taught religion at Piedmont College and Defiance College. He received an honorary Doctor of Divinity in 1984 from Olivet College, where he later held senior administrative positions and taught religion. Throughout his 42-year career, he served numerous national and state church committees and interfaith organizations. The Rev. Dr. Erickson campaigned passionately for social issues such as civil rights, gender equity, and ecumenicity. Survivors include his wife of 64 years, Jane nee Drake; sons Mitch Colleen, Marty Barb, and Todd Sheila; grandchildren Adam, CJ, Brendan, Delaney, Keenan, and Aileen. He was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Edith, and his daughter, Beverly. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 9, 2011 at 2:00PM at The Fountains at Bronson Place, 1700 Bronson Way, officiated by the Rev. Matthew Laney of First Congregational United Church of Christ and the Rev. Verne Arens, a former colleague and long-time friend of the Erickson family. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Planned Parenthood or Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes. Arrangements entrusted to Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick St.