Pickering Funeral Home

Taps

Day is done, gone the sun
from the lake, from the hill,
from the sky.

All is well, safely rest.
God is nigh.

Thanks and praise for our days
'neath the sun, 'neath the stars,
'neath the sky.

As we go, this we know.
God is nigh.

Fred M. Decker, 82, of Mexico, died at 9:40 a.m., August 25, 2003, at Stribling House in Mexico.

Graveside services will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 27, at 2:30 p.m. at East Lawn Memorial Park with the Rev. Dale Stone officiating. Visitation will be from 1 until 2 p.m. Wednesday at Pickering Funeral Home.

Mr. Decker was born on March 31, 1921, in Villisca, Iowa, a son of Francis Howard and Verlin Neal Decker. On May 17, 1952, in St. Louis, he married Naomi A. Atkins who preceded him in death on Jan. 13, 1981. Mr. Decker and his wife owned Decker Realty Company in Mexico where he worked for 36 years.

He served in Germany and France during World War II as a chief radio operator, attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. Mr. Decker was a member of the American Legion, VFW, Masonic Lodge and Shrine.

Survivors include one son, Martin S. Decker, Guatemala; two brothers, Bill Decker, Carrollton, Ill., and Bob Decker, Los Angeles, Calif.; two sisters, Lois Hunziker, Kahoka, and Frances Hendry, Mount Vernon; and one granddaughter, Summer Nicole Decker, Mexico.

In addition to his wife, one sister, Bernice Murphy, preceded him in death.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to the Shriners’ Hospital in care of Pickering Funeral Home, 403 N. Western, Mexico, MO 65265