Delores J. "Tootie" "De" Erickson

Delores J. “Tootie” “De” (Brady) Erickson, age 87, of Strasburg, and a former resident of Barberton, went to be with the Lord and her beloved Mat on Wednesday, March 21, 2018.

Born February 14, 1931, in Barberton, Ohio, she was the daughter of the late Cary and Dora Lee Brady. De lived most of her life in Barberton. She met her future husband, Mathew Erickson, Sr. at the Summit Beach Skating Rink, and they married when she was 16 years old. Neither had graduated from high school, but in 1992, they both achieved their GED. They loved spending time together. They enjoyed water skiing with family and friends, doing crafts using his woodworking and her sewing skills, and participating in bowling leagues. De was proud of one Senior Tourney when she rolled a 242 to defeat Mat who had posted a 208. They also loved gardening, and De especially enjoyed creating beauty with flowers and plants around their home. They also enjoyed and loved each pet that they had throughout their lifetime.

Mat and De raised four children, and both were involved with the Barberton P.T.A. De worked for the S. S. Kresge Company in Norton as the personnel manager and then finished her career with the Kmart Corporation at the New Philadelphia store where she retired after 17 years.

De was a wonderful singer who could harmonize beautifully with her siblings and often sang duets or trios with her daughters, Sally and Krista, and granddaughter, Veronica. She served on the Worship Teams for Word of Faith Christian Center, Parral and Lifeway Church, New Philadelphia. She was a talented seamstress who also was skilled in crochet and cross-stitch. She gifted many with her beautiful handmade pieces.

De is remembered and loved by her children, Sally (Terry) Avant of Barberton, Mathew (Donna) Erickson Jr. of Akron, Krista (Ron) Septer of Strasburg; her nine grandchildren, Brian (Kristi) Avant, Julie (Jason) Read, Amber Erickson, Mathew (Marcie) Erickson III, Veronica (Tommy) Spidell, Joseph (Amanda) Erickson, Austin (Heather) Erickson, Jonathan (Colleen) Septer, and Steven (Amanda) Erickson, her thirteen great-grandchildren, her brother, Robert Brady of Barberton, her sister, Violet Price of Barberton and her good friend, Jane Miller of Dover.

Besides her parents, Delores was preceded in death by her husband, Mat; her son, John Erickson; her brothers, Eugene Brady and Harold Brady; and her sister, Evelyn Wilkinson.

Honoring Delores’ wishes, she will be cremated through the care of Toland-Herzig Funeral Home & Crematory in Dover. A memorial service will be held, Saturday, March 24, 2018 at 11 a.m. in Dover Foursquare Church with Pastor Dennis Shearer officiating. There will be a luncheon in the church immediately following the memorial. Family and friends are invited to call at the church one hour prior to the service on Saturday. To sign an online guestbook for Delores, visit the obituary link on the funeral home’s website.

The family is grateful for Jennifer Mitchell of Strasburg, Andrea Paulson of Strasburg, the staff of Community Hospice of Tuscarawas County, and the staff of New Dawn Retirement Community of Dover for their assistance, care, and love of De over this last year.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Community Hospice Truman House, 716 Commercial Ave SW, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663.