Bruce T. Erickson Published Friday, January 20, 2006 12:45:55 PM Central Time Ironwood Daily Globe IRONWOOD TOWNSHIP, Mich. -- Bruce T. Erickson, 54, of E-2292 Lake Road, Ironwood Township, died Wednesday afternoon, Jan. 18, 2006, in his home, surrounded by his family, following a courageous battle with lung cancer. He was born Jan. 18, 1952, in Laurium, the son of Thomas and the late Eleanor (Flink) Erickson. He attended school in White Pine, graduating from White Pine High School in 1970. He then attended Michigan Technological University in Houghton for one and a half years. Bruce served his country proudly in the U.S. Marine Corps stateside for four years. Following his honorable discharge in Yuma, Ariz., in 1977, he worked for a construction firm in Yuma for four months, then was employed as a heavy equipment operator for the San Manuel Lumber Company in Durango, Colo., for a year and a half, and as equipment operator and cable splicer for M & J Electric Company, also in Durango, for three years. He was united in marriage to the former Joyce E. Leinonen on Aug. 25, 1979, at the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Little Girl's Point, by the Rev. Randy McHone. Following their marriage, they moved to Ironwood, where Bruce attended Gogebic Community College for one year, then returned to Houghton, where he attended Michigan Tech again for three years. He returned to Ironwood and Little Girl's Point to help care for his mother, and was the caretaker at the Little Girl's Point County Park for ten years. Bruce was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Little Girl's Point, and enjoyed woodworking and carpentry work. Surviving are his wife, Joyce; his father and step-mother, Tom and Dorothy Erickson, Ironwood; his father-in-law, Tauno Stone, Chassell; two brothers-in-law, Jim Leinonen, Ontonagon, and Paul Stone, Chassell; numerous special aunts, uncles, and cousins; and many, many friends. Besides his mother, he was preceded in death by his mother-in-law, Martha Stone. Funeral services will be held Monday, Jan. 23, at 11 a.m., at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Little Girl's Point, with the Rev. Tim Coppersmith, officiating. Military rites will be accorded by representatives of the Ironwood American Legion Post 5 Honor Guard and the Marine Corps League. Luncheon will follow in the church fellowship hall. Spring burial will be in Sunset Acres Cemetery, Ironwood Township. Relatives and friends may call at the church from 9:30 a.m. until service time on Monday. |