Erick Erickson

1939 - 2018

Erick Dick Michael Erickson, D.D.S., 79, formerly of Angola, died Wednesday, Oct. 3, 2018, in Brown County, Ohio.

Mike's adventure in life began Jan. 28, 1939, in Washington, D.C., in the arms of his mother, Willa Marie Erickson (nee Dick) of Steuben County, Indiana, and Erick Boine Erickson of Westchester County, New York, and ended Oct. 3, 2018 in Brown Co., Ohio. Loving him dearly are his wife of 57 years, Julienne Shook Erickson, Miami Township, and his daughter Mary Jo-Ellen Erickson, M.D., and her children, Matthew Benjamin Erickson, Octavia Kathleen Hogue and Valerie Rose Hogue of Washington Township.

Mike was graduated from Angola High School in Indiana in 1957, where he distinguished himself academically. He was an exceptional athlete and talented musician. He continued his education at Purdue University and transferred to Indiana University in Bloomington to complete his undergraduate degree. He then attended Indiana School of Dentistry in Indianapolis, graduating in 1964. Chosen as a resident to specialize in pediatric dentistry, he completed his post-doctorate degree in 1966. He was drawn to Dayton, as Barney Children's Hospital was transitioning to Children's Medical Center, where he became a staff member practicing in the fledgling dental clinic and organized the first cleft palate team. He partnered with periodontist Jerome L. Gillig in private practice to form Gillig and Erickson Inc., Dayton, Ohio. He retired in 1996.

Also known as Erick, he enjoyed the out of doors, volunteer activities at Cox Arboretum, travel to Alaska, Model T Ford restoration, and his home at Lake Lorelei. He routinely contributed to Indiana University and was known as an avid Hoosier sports fan.

Preceding him in death are his sister, Valrie LaRue Hanson of Big Timber, Montana, and her son, Devin LaRue, Sweetwater, Texas.

Surviving are nieces Alecia LaRue, Big Timber; Erin (Mike) Thompson, Emigrant, Montana; and Kristin LaRue-Chaney, Kerrville, Texas.

Additional family members include his daughter, Jeanne Marie Erickson, and her children of Dayton; sisters-in-law Mary M. Smaltz and Emily Jo Drayna of Auburn, and Barbara Ellen Clinton of Anchorage, Alaska; and special friends Charles Moon of Fayetteville, Ohio, and the late Knight Kissinger, M.D., of Angola.

The family wishes to acknowledge the Ohio Valley Hospice of Hope and thank them for their care and support.

Graveside services and celebration of life for family and friends have been organized by Benjamin Smaltz with Dr. Gary Forbes officiating at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 13, at Woodlawn Cemetery, Auburn. Arrangements have been made through Sanner Funeral Home, West Carrollton, Ohio, and Feller and Clark Funeral Home, Auburn.

Memorials are suggested to benefit Dayton Children's Hospital, One Children's Plaza, Dayton, OH 45404-1815; Hospice of Hope, 909 Kenton Station Drive, Maysville, KY 41056; or Indiana University School of Dentistry, 1121 W. Michigan St., Indianapolis, IN 46202.