John K. Erickson

John was born May 20, 1958, in Iron Mountain, son of the late Clifford and Dorothy (Lein) Erickson. He graduated from Kingsford High School in 1976, was a lifelong resident of the area, and one of the Breitung Boys.

John married his childhood sweetheart, Carole Mortl, on June 21, 1980, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Kingsford. They would be celebrating their 44th wedding anniversary this year. Together they raised three children and loved spending time at their camp, cottage and house in East Kingsford.

John was employed as a delivery driver with UPS for 30 years, retiring in 2014. John “JK” often delivered rural routes, where he made many friends, and enjoyed talking with his customers. He always had a bag of dog treats along for the furry friends on the route.

John was an excellent provider who worked long hours but still had time to serve as a volunteer firefighter for Breitung Township. He took many classes and earned many endorsements over the years which led to him becoming the East Kingsford Fire Chief. Many friends and family will remember his 1988 silver and black Bronco with the full light bar.

John loved serving as the fire chief, but left the position when he was elected as a Breitung Township Trustee. John was re-elected numerous times and served as trustee on the board for 17 years. He was a member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church, the Teamsters Union, U.P. Whitetails, and a lifetime member of the NRA.

John loved the camp he built with his friends and family and enjoyed spending time there playing cards with friends, especially smear. He also loved riding his four wheeler, trucks and Sahara Jeep.

He always had stacks of records, then CDs, and even digital music as an avid fan of classic rock music. He was always the life of the party, bringing people together with his humor and laughs.

His rendition of “The Lion Sleeps Tonight” or his Wizard of Oz lion roar are a testament to his spontaneity and zest for life. He greatly loved his family, his pets (especially his yellow lab Maggie) and holding his seven beautiful grandchildren over the years.

John is survived by his wife of 44 years, Carole; three children, Jessica (Rob) Garvaglia of Quinnesec, Jenni (Mike) Henry of Kingsford, and Johnny Erickson (Carey) of Chicago; two sisters, Joy Brewer and Nancy (Robert) Leroux; seven grandchildren, Kaitlynn, Aliyah, Travis, Jesse, Drake, Zoe and James; brothers-in-law, Frank (Anne) Mortl, Mike Mortl (Kathy), James (Kris) Mortl and Mark (Laura) Mortl; several nieces and nephews including a special niece, Lisa (Rudy) Vassar. He was grateful for his brother-in-law Mike who has helped him take care of his cottage and camp.

In addition to his parents, he was also preceded in death by two sisters-in-law, Sharon Giannunzio and Patricia Mortl.

Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to noon on Saturday, June 22, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church in Kingsford. Funeral services will follow at noon at the church with Pastor Matt Ruesch officiating.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Almost Home Animal Shelter.

Condolences to the family of John K. Erickson can be expressed online at www.ernashfuneralhomes.com.

The family has entrusted the Erickson-Rochon & Nash Funeral Home of Iron Mountain with the funeral arrangements.