Herbert Charles Erickson, a.k.a. Herb to all who knew him, age 86, died Wednesday, March 15 at his Wheaton residence.

A lifelong Wheatonite, Herb was born April 21, 1930 at the Erickson home on Western Ave; as was the custom of the day, he was delivered by the legendary Dr. William Guild. Herb attended Longfellow School and was a 1948 graduate of Wheaton Community High School.

From there Herb hit the road, literally, and traveled with his brother Bill on adventures to Montana and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, a place that would become near and dear to the entire family. He also drove a Wheaton cab and told great stories of driving Col. Robert McCormick and other assorted area notables.

In the mid-1950s though Herb's life changed immeasurably for the better when, completely by chance, he met the love of his life, the then-Lois Atterberry. The story goes, two of Herb's good friends, Rod Anderson and Vern "Peanuts" Voigt, were at Wheaton's Popcorn Store getting snacks for a poker game. They spied Lois and her good friend Betty, who were also in a popcorn state of mind after a prayer meeting at church. The guys convinced the girls to come with them to the game and the rest, as they say, is history.

Herb and Lois were married on December 6, 1958 at the First Presbyterian Church in Wheaton. Four years later the family grew to three with the birth of their daughter Pamela Anne, and expanded to four with the arrival of Kurt Boeker in 1968. Throughout the years Herb ensured that his wife and children learned to "know their country" through annual family vacations. Road trips to Washington D.C., New York, New England, Florida and Colorado, a plane trip to Las Vegas and southern California, along with annual vacations at the family cabin in Michigan's UP ensured that all gained an appreciation for the many aspects and cultures of our great USA.

Herb's retirement in 1991 from his career as traffic manager at Lifschultz Fast Freight allowed him time to pursue his true calling of service to others. He volunteered with PADS, the Wheaton Bible Church trimmers, the Wheaton History Center, as well as giving his time selflessly to anyone who needed a hand. His generous spirit and laid-back ways will be missed by all who knew him.

Herb is survived by his wife of 58 years, Lois; his daughter Pam Otto; son Kurt and his wife Julia (nee Hahn) as well as two grandchildren, Caleb, 6, and Peyton, 2. His sweet yellow lab Ilsa also survives, keeping watch over all. He was preceded in death by his parents, Oledine and C.W. "Lefty" Erickson, his dear sister Virginia "Ginny" Erickson Gratteau Bane and beloved brother C.W. "Bill" Erickson.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, March 19, 2017 from 3-6 p.m. at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., in Wheaton, IL where a funeral service will be held on Monday, March 20, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. Interment will follow at Wheaton Cemetery in Wheaton, IL.