Walking On: Delmer Erickson & Michael Ring

Delmer Lyndon Erickson

April 2, 1959 – Jan. 31, 2015

Tribal Elder Delmer Lyndon Erickson (Two Feathers), 55, a resident of McCleary, Wash., died on Saturday, Jan. 31, at Capital Medical Center in Olympia, Wash., after a painful battle with cancer.

He was born on April 2, 1959, in Aberdeen, Wash., to Ragnar W. and Florence R. (Cunningham) Erickson. He was very proud of his Native American heritage and he was honored to be a member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde.

Del attended schools in Hoquiam, Wash., where he lived until he moved to Centralia, Wash., in 1986. He attended Centralia College and earned a degree in welding. He moved to Tacoma, Wash., in 1989 where he lived until returning to Aberdeen in 2007.

Survivors include his daughter, Tarina Erickson, granddaughter, Samantha Tiffany, and grandson, Jayden Tiffany, of Elma, Wash.; sisters, twin sister Donna L. Erickson of McCleary and Dolores J. Teitzel of Napavine, Wash.; and brothers, Richard L. Erickson of Centralia and Donald E. Erickson and William J. Erickson of Hoquiam. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews.He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Stanley A. Erickson and Kenneth A. Erickson; sister, Sharon M. Emery; nephews, Aaron Erickson and Jason Emery; niece, Cory Erickson; sister-in-law, Carla Erickson; and two brothers-in-law, Charles Emery and Douglas Teitzel.

Michael “Mick” Lewis Ring

Sept. 30, 1941 – Feb. 2, 2015

Tribal Elder Michael “Mick” Lewis Ring went home to be with the Lord on Feb. 2, 2015. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frances and George Ring; brother, Monte Ring; sister, Patti Hoopingarner; and his eldest son, Monte Gene Ring.

Born Sept. 30, 1941, in Medford, Ore., Mick was the second born of five children. A Grand Ronde resident of 20 years, Mick was a Navy veteran, proud Native American Elder, but above all a true man of God.

He is survived by his wife of 47 years, Ida Ring; his children, Bill and Kathleen Dee, Joe and Trisha Gallagher, George Ring, Mike and Karen Blank and Youvani Ring; grandchildren, Curtis, Frances, Thomas, Vanessa, Cody, Kathrine, Nathan, Payton, Samantha and Caleb; and only great-grandson, Lane, with another great-grandchild due this fall, as well as countless nieces and nephews.He is also survived by two sisters, Georgene Shafer and Mary Ring.He was a strong man and will be greatly missed by all who had the fortune of knowing him.

A memorial service was held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 14, in the Tribal Community Center.