Jay S. Erickson

Jay S. “Sonny” Erickson, 92, of Mason City, died Tuesday, March 22, 2016 at the Good Shepherd Health Center. Memorial services will be held 2:00 PM Monday, March 28, 2016 in the Good Shepherd Health Center Chapel, 302 2nd Street NE with Rev. Kent Mechler officiating. Inurnment will take place 11:00 Tuesday, March 29, 2016 in the Amsterdam Township Cemetery, Kanawha, Iowa. Memorials may be directed to the Jay Erickson Memorial Fund.

Sonny was born January 12, 1924 in Kanawha, Iowa the son of Gailerd and Melva (Michelson) Erickson. He attended school in Kanawha. Sonny lived in Corwith, Lu Verne and Britt prior to moving to Mason City in 1942. Sonny worked as a repairman for Ralph’s Bicycle and Hobby Shop in Mason City for 24 years. For the past 20 years, he had been a resident of the Good Shepherd Health Center.

Sonny is survived by 2 brothers, Gailerd Erickson of Des Moines and James Erickson of Happy Camp, California; 2 sisters, Carol King of Mason City and Virginia McClung of Mason City; numerous nieces and nephews including Stanley and Jon O’Banion, whom he helped raise following the untimely deaths of their parents.

Sonny was preceded in death by his parents, sisters, Eleanor Johnson Dawson and Aletha O’Banion; infant sister, Carol Mathilda; half-sister, Nancy Erickson; sister-in-law, Jean Erickson; brothers-in-law, Melvin Johnson, Richard O’Banion Sr., Jerry King and Charles McClung; special friend, Hazel Leaman.