Daryn Erickson

Daryn Charles Erickson, 58 of Sycamore passed away unexpectedly in his home Saturday, April 11, 2021.

Daryn was born February 7, 1963 in Crosby North Dakota. He was the second of three children born to Charles & Eunice (Strecker) Erickson.

In 1965 the family moved to Sycamore Illinois where the Erickson's whole heartedly became a part of the Sycamore community.

Daryn was confirmed at Salem Lutheran Church and graduated from Sycamore High School in 1981. While attending Sycamore High School, he enjoyed playing sports, his favorite being football. In his junior and senior year, he participated in FFA. He always was a creative soul and loved art, including painting, drawing, and sculpting things out of metal and wood. Following his graduation, Daryn joined the Navy where he served his country for 4 years. He served most of his time on ships that traveled the globe. His Navy buddy, Brian Jensen, spoke of Daryn's kindness and his love for adventure. He was afforded the opportunity to ski the Alps in Switzerland and Germany. He also learned how to sky dive. Daryn loved to reconnect with nature with long cycling trips. He loved camping, fishing and some hunting. He enjoyed working on the farm when we went to visit family in North Dakota, especially when he drove a combine, tractors, and trucks.

Daryn loved animals and children. His pets were well loved and well trained. He kept an African Gray Parrot by the name of Digger for 30 years, and many remember Koty, his beloved German Sheppard and a gentle giant. He loved his nephew Seth and enjoyed every moment he got to spend with him.

As Daryn got older he enjoyed searching for hidden treasures - finding antiques to restore or items to repurpose. He had a special job at Upstaging - nothing could be thrown away until Daryn could inspect it, and/or find a use for it. He expressed himself best through art where his creativity, craftsmanship, humor, and love of beauty could shine through. Stained glass, wood carving, drawing, photography, and scrap metal were just a few of his mediums.

Daryn was notoriously private, fiercely independent, and extremely frugal, yet surprisingly generous. He worked his way into the hearts of innumerable friends and relatives. He will be missed.

Daryn is survived by his beloved nephew Seth (Hannah) Erickson and brother Vaughn of Carbondale, and sister Robin of Kenosha, Wisconsin.

He leaves behind many friends and relatives in Illinois, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and Minnesota.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Oasis Sanctuary, specializing in the caring of tropical birds such as African Grey and other tropical birds who finds themselves without a home.  Memorials and cards can be mailed to Butala Funeral Home, 1405 Dekalb Ave., Sycamore, IL. 60178-  in care of Erickson Family.

We will be holding a Celebration of Life Picnic in Daryn's honor on June 26 ^th at the Sycamore Park in the Good Tymes Pavilion from noon to 6pm. It will be a BYOB event. The family will be providing food and light refreshments. Please come and share Daryn's memory with us.

To sign the online guest book or share a special memory, go to www.ButalaFuneralHomes.com