DECKER, Irvin Bert 1923-2003

DECKER, COONRADT, AMY

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 2/2/2009 at 14:24:08

Irvin B. Decker, 79, of Columbia, Tenn, formerly of Nashua, died Tuesday, June 10, 2003, at Centennial Medical Center in Nashville of natural causes.

Funeral services will be 3 p.m. Monday, June 16, at the Ionia Funeral Home in Ionia. Visitation will be an hour prior to services at the funeral home.

Irvin Bert Decker was born Aug. 19, 1923, at Stacyville, the son of Ralph and Mabel (Coonradt) Decker. He attended country school near his family's home through junior high school. After his schooling he went to work for his father on the family farm, where they also raised many horses.

On Jan. 21, 1945 he was united in marriage to Ruth Arlene Amy at the Baptist Church Parsonage in Osage. Following their marriage the couple resided on the Decker family farm for two years and later lived in various areas of Mitchell, Howard and Chickasaw Counties. Throughout his life he often farmed, worked on the railroad and owned and operated Decker Salvage.

On May 8, 2001, Irvin and his wife moved to Tennessee to live with their daughter and often visited their daughters in Indiana. He enjoyed junking, playing cards - especially Euchre, cookouts, spoiling grandchildren and dancing in his younger years. He was also a past member of the Farm Bureau.

Irvin is survived by his wife of 58 years, Ruth of Columbia, Tenn.; four daughters, Arlene (Wayne) Hull of Nashua, Karen (Earl) Erlendsson of Columbia, Tenn., Marcella Sheffner of Carmel, Ind., and Linda (Joe) Bollhoefer of Sheridan, Ind.; two sons, Deny (Carol) Decker of Sedgwick, Kan., and Herbie (Darlynn) Decker of Nashua; 13 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren; and a sister, Dora Mueller of Vinton.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Lloyd Decker, and a son-in-law, Tom Sheffner.