Otto Emanuel Erickson

Otto Emanuel Erickson, Jr., 91, of Burlington died at 2:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 5, 2016, at Klein Center of Great River Medical Center. Born March 29, 1925 in Henderson County, IL, he was the son of Otto Senior and Hazel (Emery) Erickson. He was raised in Burlington and attended the Burlington School System. On March 6, 1942 he married Betty Marie Cumpton in St. Louis, MO. Mr. Erickson served his country during World War II with the Army Combat Engineers from 1943 until 1946. He served in both the European and Southern Pacific Theatres. Following his military service he worked as Chief Clerk for the Emergency Export Corporation at the Iowa Ordnance Plant. In December 1948 he joined the Silas Mason Company as a Procurement Expeditor for materials needed to support Line 1, which was later known as the Burlington AEC Plant. After his security clearance was granted he moved to the manufacturing division where he held the position of Production Planning and Control Superintendent for 20 years and Production Manager for seven years. In addition to his regular job assignment, he also served as Top Secret Control Officer and as the Special Materials Accountability Representative f...[more]

View Full Online Obituary and Tributes

many years. In July of 1975 he transferred to the Amarillo, TX PANTEX plant where he held the position as Manufacturing Planning and Control Superintendent until his retirement in 1986. Mr. Erickson was a senior member of the Institute of Nuclear Materials Management for many years. He was a life member of the American Defense Prepared Association, life member of the VFW TX Post 1475 and the American Legion TX Post 345, member of the Des Moines Lodge #1 AF&AM as a Master Mason, Davenport Consistory as a 32 Degree Mason and the KIVA Temple as a Shriner. He also was a member of the Traveler's Protective Association of America and a past member of the Elks, Eagles and Moose Lodges. Beside his yard work he enjoyed tennis, bowling, golfing and poker playing. Survivors include the love of his life, Betty Erickson; one brother, Robert Erickson of Burlington; one sister, Roberta Connelly of Burlington; one sister-in-law, Bonny Augsburger of Burlington; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers and two sisters. Masonic Rites will be held at 6 p.m. Friday, April 8th, at Lunning Chapel with the family receiving friends afterwards until 8 p.m. The funeral service for Mr. Erickson will be 11 a.m. Saturday, April 9th, at Lunning Chapel with the Rev. Steven Parker officiating. Interment will be in Aspen Grove Cemetery. The Burlington Area Veterans Honor Guard will conduct Military Rites. A memorial has been established for the American Cancer Society.