Jerome A. Erickson

Jerome A. Erickson, 91, of Stevensville was called home by the Lord on Friday, May 23, 2025, in South Bend, Ind. He was born Aug. 1, 1933 in Mankato, Minn., to Archie and Genevieve (Jensen) Erickson.

The family will receive guests from noon until the time of celebration of life service at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, June 4, at The Chapel, 4250 Washington Ave., St. Joseph with the Rev. Phil Bubar officiating. Burial with military rites to follow in Hickory Bluff Cemetery, Stevensville. Memorial contributions may be given to The Chapel, The Wounded Warrior Project, or Corewell Health Lakeland Hospitals Marie Yeager Cancer Center. Those wishing to leave an online condolence for the family may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.

Jerry graduated from Mankato High School in 1951 and went on to earn degrees from Mankato State University and the University of Minnesota in business, music and public health. Jerry volunteered to serve in the U.S. Army and did so proudly from 1956-1962 with the 4th Army, and the 3rd Armored Division, 4th Armored Division mainly in Frankfurt and Heidelberg, Germany. Early in his work career, he taught music and U.S. history in Minnesota and later taught public health as an instructor at Western Michigan University. Initially employed by two voluntary health agencies, this led to his becoming the administrator and the first non-medical health officer in Michigan and provided public health leadership with the Berrien County Health Department for 27 years. He was elected president of the statewide public health administrator forum and president of the statewide Health Officers Association. He also received a state-wide award for outstanding achievements in public health and retired in 1995.

Jerry's religious life has always been a blessing to him. Before coming to The Chapel, he served as chairman of the following committees: Evangelism, fundraising and the special council that built Peace Lutheran Church. He also served as a member of the administration, building, budget and finance committees. In 1991, he married Janet Marie Morrison, sharing their lives for the past 33 years. Jerry and Jan enjoyed traveling to most of the 50 states and spending time in Hawaii, Arizona and their time spent in Israel and Greece for a once-in-a-lifetime trip.

Jerry will be missed by his wife, Janet (Morrison) Erickson; his children: Julie Suchanek, Beth (Pat) Glenn, Lisa (Mike) Reilly, Kim Sofield, Jayne (Rick) Toering and Joshua (Becky) Raschke; his grandchildren: Jerome (Susanna) Harms, Candace Rybolt, Kaitlin (Jordan) Brewer, Ellen (Andrew) Moore, Nat (Kaitlyn) Reilly, Curran Reilly, Larry Sofield, Nick (Bethany) Sofield, Andrea (Steven) Hendricksen, Hanna Toering, Jordan Toering, Aidan Raschke, Tagin Raschke and Klaytin Raschke; 13 great-grandchildren; and his brother, Gene (Donna) Erickson.

He is preceded in death by his parents.