Eric Erickson, 66, peacefully passed away Thursday, June 10, 2021 at OSF St. Anthony Medical Center in Rockford, IL .  Eric was born on December 2, 1954 to Robert and Elizabeth (Follett) Erickson in Winifield, IL.  On June 16, 1989, he married his best friend, Nancy Paul in Rockton, IL.

Eric is survived by his wife of 31 years, Nancy of Steward; his 14 children: Jennifer (Glenn) Schnetzinger of Springdale, AR, Paul (Melissa) Erickson of Belvidere, IL, Maria Erickson of Rochelle, IL, Vladimir (Maria Mandujano) Erickson of Ashton, IL, Tatyanna Erickson of Coumbus, OH, Adam Paul of Steward IL, Eric (Alyssa) Paul of Rochelle, IL, Veronika (Alex Bunger) Erickson of Bloomington, IL, Leif Erickson of Rochelle, IL, Anna (Gareth) Booth of Elkins, AR, Alexei Erickson of Steward, IL, Gabriella Erickson, Izzy Erickson and Mauri Erickson all of Steward, IL: brothers and sisters;   and his 16 grandchildren.

Eric will be missed dearly by so many.  He never met a stranger and would happily shoot the breeze with anyone who wanted to slow down and talk about things.  He loved hunting for and collecting treasures throughout his life at pawn shops, auctions, antique stores. . . if it looked like there might be a rusty treasure, he had to stop! He shared his life-long passion for tinkering with cars and motorcycles with his children, taking them to countless car shows and trying to teach them all he knew.  He found great humor in particular for the spark plug lesson. . .just hold this right here, followed by "ERIC ROBERT!!" There wasn't anything he couldn't fix or anyone he wouldn't help. His generosity and kindness were without limits.

More than anything he loved his family.  He was lucky to have found his soulmate and shared his great life and adventures with her, their kids and grandkids.  One of his greatest accomplishments was being truly the best Gramps! He was a baby whisperer extraordinaire; he had endless patience, energy and love for the littles!  He had them always laughing with his shenanigans! He would boogey down on the dance floor with them (or anyone else for that matter) until they could dance no more!

We will miss hearing "ERIC ROBERT" called out, his amazing hugs, his vulcan death grip shoulder thingy, his laughter, his stories, his generosity and love...and so much more. He was a man who measured his wealth not by income but by how happy and healthy his family was. He was our Rock and our Best Friend.  We are sad he is gone but take great comfort in how happy he and our beloved Katherine are to be together again! He will be loved and missed forever.

In addition to his parents, Eric was preceded in death by his daughter, Katherine Jill-Rose on June 14, 2019.