Howard Leland Erickson, age 96 of Westbrook, passed away Friday, January 13, 2023.  Memorial Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Friday, January 20, 2023 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Westbrook.  Visitation will be 5:00-7:00 p.m. Thursday, January 19 at Westbrook Funeral Home.  Visitation will continue one hour prior to the service at church on Friday. Interment will be in the Westbrook Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Westbrook Library or Trinity Lutheran Church. 

Howard Leland Erickson was born on May 31, 1926 to Orel and Margaret (Fowler) Erickson. He graduated from high school and then served in the United States Army during WWII in the Philippines and Japan. Howard received further education at Luther College and Hamline University. He was married to Geraldine Flynn in February of 1948. They made their home in Westbrook, where they raised their five children. He was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church. Howard was employed with the United States Postal Service, where he was recognized for 50 years of government service. He refereed football and basketball for many years. Howard was a charter member of Rolling Hills Golf Club and was active in the American Legion, the VFW, and the Lions Club. In addition, he was a volunteer fireman and served on the school board and the Cemetery Association. Howard enjoyed golfing, biking, playing cards and socializing with family and friends.

Howard is survived by his wife Geraldine; children: Elizabeth (Gary) Olson, Patricia (Daniel) Cuka, Lynn Karnavas, Thomas (Marie) Erickson and Jacqueline (Michael) Johns; grandchildren: Kimberly Armstrong, Sarah Corwin, Caroline Hughes and Michael Olson, Gregory, Brian and Thomas Hildreth, Vanessa Irelan, Stephanie Gabrysh and Andrew Karnavas, Christopher and Eleanor Erickson, and Jenna, Abigail and Eric Johns; 21 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; and brother Kenneth Erickson. He is preceded in death by his parents Orel and Margaret Erickson, his brothers Curtis and Richard, and son-in law Alexander Karnavas.