Rev. Paul H. Erickson, age 76, a resident of Carol Stream, went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, December 20, 2016. He was born in Chicago on February 6, 1940 to Albin and Alpha Erickson.

Paul grew up in the North Park community of Chicago and graduated from North Park Academy. He went on to graduate from North Park College and North Park Theological Seminary. He married his high school sweetheart, Joan Harms, on November 14, 1959 in the chapel at North Park Seminary.

Rev. Erickson served at Oakdale Covenant Church of Chicago, the Covenant Church in Fargo, ND, First Covenant Church in St. Paul, MN, First Covenant Church in Portland, OR, Faith Covenant Church in Colorado Springs, CO, and Brookdale Covenant Church in Brooklyn Park, MN. He then became the superintendent of the Northwest Conference of the Evangelical Covenant Church and served in this role from 1995 until his retirement in 2003. In retirement he served part time for three years at Roseville Covenant Church in Roseville, MN. In March of 2006 he was involved in a severe accident that left him disabled. He and Joan moved to Windsor Park in Carol Stream in 2007.

Pastor Erickson was passionate about people, especially those who were marginalized or on the fringes. He was a positive and outgoing person who was a wise counselor for those seeking help or needing a listening ear. He enjoyed going out for meals and often enjoyed meetings over a meal. In a group he would talk to everyone and was loved by everyone.

He was the beloved husband of Joan; loving father of Cari (Dan) Pietrzyk of Paddock Lake, WI, the late Scott (Darla) Erickson of Telluride, CO, and the late Lisa (David) Greenwoood. He was also the proud grandfather of Jason (Emanuela) Pietrzyk, Brent Pietrzyk, Sean (Danielle) Pietrzyk, Rebecca Erickson, Jeffrey (Chelsey) Erickson, Sonja Erickson, Lindsey Greenwood, Sarah Greenwood, and Eric Greenwood; and great-grandfather of Aiden, Kyla and Cam Pietrzyk and Warren Erickson. He leaves behind a sister, Ruth (Duane) Johnson of Golden Valley, MN; and a brother, James (Betty) Erickson of Windom, MN.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, January 7, 2017 at 2:00 p.m. at Windsor Park , 124 Windsor Park Dr. (North Ave., just west of Gary Ave.) in Carol Stream, IL.

In Lieu of flowers it is encouraged that memorial gifts be directed to Faith Covenant Church , 2S 571 Lakeview, Wheaton, IL 60189; to Windsor Park Benevolent Care Fund , 124 Windsor Park Drive, Carol Stream IL 60188; or to the North Park Theological Seminary Scholarship Fund , 3225 W. Foster Ave., Chicago, IL 60625.