John T. Decker, 79, Dies; Leaves 67 Descendants

John Taylor Decker, 79, of 1117 south 12th street, died at 7:00 p.m. Monday in Good Samaritan Hospital. He leaves 67 descendants: three sons, three daughters, 28 grandchildren, and 33 great-grandchildren.

Mr. Decker, a past president of the Carmen's Association, was a former gang lender in the air brake section of the Mt. Vernon car shops.

Funeral services will be held at 2:00 p.m. Thursday at the First Church of God, of which he was a member, with the Rev. Siebert officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood cemetery. The body will lie in state at Myers Chapel where friends may call after 4:00 p.m. Wednesday. At noon, Thursday, the body will be taken to the church to lie in state until the funeral hour.

Mr. Decker was born May 29, 1886, at Litchfield, Ill., the son of Isaac and Jennie (Howell) Decker.

On Feb. 6, 1906, in Mt. Vernon, he was married to Maude Vern, (sic) who survives.

He is also survived by three sons, Frank T. Decker of St. Louis, Harry Decker of Mattoon, and Robert Decker of McLeansboro; three daughters, Mrs. Virginia Byers of Alta Loma, Calif., Mrs. Annetta Hayes of Mt. Vernon, and Mrs. Jean Flanagan of Ft. Myers, Fla.: 28 grandchildren; and 33 great-grandchildren; a sister, Eunice Decker of Sparta; and two brothers, Virgil Decker of Glen Carbon, Ill., and Howell Decker of St. Louis.

Mr. Decker was preceded in death by four sons, three daughters, and two sisters.

Source: The Mt. Vernon Register-News
Date: Tuesday, August 17, 1965
Submitted by: Robert W. Loman