Ralph Ericson

Ralph Ericson, 77, of Lockridge, IA, died Sunday, February 13, 2011 at the Henry County Health Center. Visitation will begin after 12:00 noon on Thursday, February 17, 2011, at the Olson - Powell Memorial Chapel, where the family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 p.m. that evening. A funeral service will be held Friday at 10:00 a.m. at the Olson - Powell Memorial Chapel with Pastor Bill Wenig officiating. Committal services will be at the White Oak Chapel with full military rites. Internment will be held at the White Oak Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the White Oak Cemetery. The son of Bernard and Nellie (Scarff) Ericson, Ralph was born on September 20, 1933 near Rome, IA. He graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1952. He was in the Army, and served his country during the Korean Conflict. He retired from Champion Spark Plug in Burlington after working for over 35 years as a machinist. He was also a farmer raising Black Angus cows. An avid NASCAR fan, he also enjoyed watching sprint car races. Known as the "lead-footed farmer," his hobby included racing stock cars at many local tracks, and he was a member of the Mississippi Valley Stock Car Club. He also was a member of the Veterans of Foreign War Post #2561, the American Legion Post #58, and the Assembly of God Church. Survivors include his daughter, Cindy (Shannon) McWhirter of Fairfield, IA; three sisters, Betty Barr of Mt. Pleasant, Evelyn Wieter of Largo, FL and Donna (Bill) Luzadder of Hannibal, MO; one brother, Ed Ericson of Grand Island, NE; a grandson Brady McWhirter of Fairfield, IA; and two step-grandchildren, Jordan McWhirter of Batavia, IA and Nathan McWhirter of Fairfield, IA He is preceded in death by his parents; four sisters, Grace Thompson, Mae Stutzman, Helen Ericson and a sister in infancy; and two brothers in infancy.