12/20/2025
Gerald “Jerry” Arthur Erickson, 83, of Pontiac, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family, at 4:04 P.M. on Thursday, December 18, 2025, at Carle Bromenn Medical Center in Normal, Illinois.
Cremation rites will be accorded. Duffy-Baier-Snedecor Funeral Home, Pontiac has been entrusted with the arrangements. Graveside services and a Celebration of Life will be held at a future date.
Jerry was born on October 25, 1942, in Pontiac, Illinois. The son of Arthur and Rita (Pellouchoud) Erickson. He was united in marriage to Rose Mary Bayston on October 30, 1971, in Chenoa, Il. and together they shared over 54 years of marriage.
Jerry is survived by his loving wife, Rose Mary Erickson; his two children, Michelle (Alan) Wade of Palestine, Texas and Joseph (Amy) Erickson of Morton, Illinois; his nine grandchildren, Tre' (Miranda), Taylor, Sam, Max, and Michael Wade, Ady Hagenbuch, Abe, Will, and Hewitt Erickson; two great grandchildren, Julian and Grace-Lynn; two sisters, Linda (Maynard) Erickson and Mary Jo (late Terry) Norgaard; and his brother, Mike (Deanna) Erickson, sisters in law Sandy Erickson, Leann Erickson, Lori Erickson, and many, many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents and siblings, Judy Roberts, Ben Erickson, Diane Schott, Jim Erickson, John Erickson, Dan Erickson. Also, brothers in law, John Roberts, Jim Schott, Terry Norgaard, and sister-in-law Kathy Erickson.
Jerry was a veteran of the Army serving from 1965 through 1967 as a Nuclear Weapons Maintenance Specialist. After his service in the Army, he proudly attended DeVry Institute of Technology and graduated with an associate’s degree in electrical engineering.
Jerry was proud to be part of the crew that built the Linear Accelerator at Fermi National Laboratory. He spent the next thirty years working at the Caterpillar plant in Pontiac, Illinois in the Electronic Repair Shop.
Throughout his life, Jerry was deeply involved in his community. He was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church of Pontiac, Il. He served as president of the Esmen School District Board and was a past President of the Pontiac Sportsmen’s Club. Jerry was also a member of the Pontiac American Legion Post #78, the Pontiac Moose Lodge, and the Central States Threshermen’s Reunion.
Jerry loved an audience to tell his stories, whether they were about his time in the military, working at Fermilab in Batavia, Il., or his childhood years growing up. He couldn’t resist a friendly ear. Jerry found any excuse he could find to be outdoors, and it was his favorite pastime. He could always be found working on some project outside or beautifying the property. He will truly be missed by his wife, children, grandchildren and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in Jerry’s name may be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church, 210 N. Deerfield Rd., Pontiac, IL. 61764.