John Mitchell Eriks

John Mitchell Eriks, 84, of Overland Park, passed away Saturday, March 23, 2013, at Lakeview Village.

John was born December 8, 1928, in Highland, Indiana. He graduated from Griffith High School before enlisting in the U.S. Navy in 1947. John served twenty years before retiring in 1967 after attaining the rank of Chief Petty Officer.

John was a member of the Fleet Reserve Association Branch #161. He held numerous branch offices including President and most recently, he served as Branch Chaplain. John was also a member of the International Order of Foresters.

On October 28, 1995 he married Harriet Root, who survives of the home. John was an avid Chiefs fan and always supported them through thick and thin; he enjoyed following all types of automobile racing and was a railroad enthusiast. He enjoyed traveling and taking cruises with Harriet. John loved to bowl and tending to his tomatoes and peppers in his garden.

John is preceded in death by his first wife Glenna J. Eriks in 1981 and a sister Christine Sweeney of Aurora, Illinois.

He is survived by his loving wife Harriet; his two daughters, Darlene Burruss and husband, William and Christine Decker and husband, Henry; five step daughters, Karen McLemore and husband Michael, Teresa A. Norton, Eileen Marshall and husband Clark, Annette Tomasich, and Deanne Stephens and husband John; a grandson, Ronald E. Burruss; two granddaughters, Heather Lord and Nicole Decker; five step granddaughters, Carey Seetin and husband David, Karrie Glover and husband Devin, Rachel Marshall, Taylor Stephens, and Blake Stephens; five step grandsons, Chris Cogley, Roger L. Norton and wife Danielle, Harley J. Norton, Adam Schwarz and Michael Stephens; and numerous great grandchildren and step great grandchildren.

A celebration of John's life will be 11 a.m., Friday March 29, 2013, at Amos Family Funeral Home and Crematory. Burial with full military honors will follow at Ft. Leavenworth National Cemetery.

The family suggest memorial contributions be made to the American Cancer Society.