Obituary

DONALD R. ERICKSON, 79 MACHESNEY PARK - Donald R. Erickson, 79, of Machesney Park died Tuesday, Aug. 9, 2011, in his home. Born Aug. 29, 1931, in Rockford, the son of Leroy and Marie Stephenson, and the adopted son of Romana and Roy Erickson. Married Susan Swenson on Sept. 18, 1953. He graduated in 1949 from Rockford East and served during the Korean War with the Military Police. He went to Lake Forest College and graduated from Beloit College in 1953. He did his graduate studies at Rockford College earning a M.A., in 1956. Don started his educational career teaching at Jefferson Middle School. He went to Roosevelt as counselor and assistant principal. He opened Kennedy Middle School as principal with the concept of team teaching and open pod and went on to Auburn High School as principal. There he implemented the CAPA program and the performing arts program. In 1982, he became the assistant superintendent for curriculum and planning for the Rockford School District and in 1989 he was the assistant superintendent for administration and planning for the Rockford district. After retiring from the Rockford district he taught at Rock Valley College and Rockford College. He then became superintendent and later executive director for the Lutheran High School Association. He recently retired as the principal of Alpine Academy at Alpine Lutheran Church. He also served as a probation officer for the Winnebago County Juvenile court. He was proud to be the first president of the Kantorei and enjoyed working with CASA. He will be greatly missed by his family and the many children whose lives he touched. Survived by his wife, Sue; children, Bruce Erickson, Michael (Denise) Erickson, Beth (Gary Ferguson) Sisson, Debra Rinaldi and Ami Erickson; grandchildren, Benjamin (Sue) Erickson, Christopher (MaryBeth) Erickson, Elizabeth (John) Feehan, Renee (Eric) Miller, Lee (Joy) Erickson, Ashley Sisson, Zachary Sisson, Taylor Sisson, Nicholas (Kaytlen Prusha) Rinaldi and Andrew (Megan Thomas) Rinaldi; 11 great-grandchildren; sister, JoAnn Hansen; brothers, Jack (Karen) Erickson and Melvin (Mary) Stephenson; and numerous nieces and nephews. Predeceased by parents; sister, Joan Stephenson; and brothers, Richard Erickson and Ray Stephenson. Service at 11 a.m. Monday, Aug. 15, in Alpine Lutheran Church, 5001 Forest View Ave.; Vicar Andrew Berry and Pastor Loren Nielsen will officiate. Burial in Scandinavian Cemetery. Visitation from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 14, in Delehanty Funeral Home Ltd., 401 River Lane, Loves Park, and from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Monday in the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Alpine Academy at Alpine Lutheran Church. For more information, visit delehantyfh.com.