John K. Decker
Age 82, of Holt, MI, passed away October 20, 2018, in Holt, surrounded by his family. He was born December 26, 1935, in Jasper Twp., Michigan, to the late Jesse and Gertrude (Raushenberger) Decker.
John was a proud veteran of the U.S. Army, and later worked in heavy construction. In his free time he enjoyed hunting, fishing, pitching horseshoes, and mushroom hunting.
John is survived by Janice, his wife of 53 years; five children: Tracy (Eric) Bobier, Eric Decker, Barry (Sarah) Decker, Tammy (Mark) Bursley, and Judy (Andrew) Ragatz; grandchildren: John (Bryttany) Gilreath, Chance (Erin) Bobier, Lyndsey (Jason) LaLonde, Erica (Josh Johnson) Decker, Bonny Decker, Nicole Bursley, Jessica Bursley, and Bre (Alex Meirndorf) Vining; great-grandchildren: Alexis Gilreath, Willow Bobier, Silas Bobier, Logan LaLonde, Lyncoln LaLonde, Dylan LaLonde, Olivia Johnson, Aubrey Romankewitz, Nathan Bursley, Jae Linares, Harper Greathouse, Jordyn Bath, and Alexia Meirndorf. John is also survived by two sisters, Delores and Geraldine, as well as many nieces, nephews and extended family members.
John was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson, Nicholas Decker; one sister, Florine; and three brothers, LZ, Zahel, and Leo.
The funeral for John will be 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 24, 2018, at the Estes-Leadley Holt/Delhi Chapel, interment will be in Deepdale Memorial Gardens. Visitation will be 2:00-7:00 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home and also one hour prior to the service on Wednesday. Memorial contributions, in John’s name, may go toward planting a tree in his honor at Ironwood Links Golf Course. Checks can be made out to Ironwood Links, 742 North Eifert Road, Mason, MI 48854.
20 Messages to “John K. Decker”
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Mary Frantz
October 21, 2018 at 3:59 pmMy heart is sadden by your passing, but i know someday ill see u again.
I will miss you deeply
U have always been there for me and always been a Dad to me, which that i will cherrish and miss always
I Love U
With all my heart
Mary
Larry Tupica
October 21, 2018 at 8:22 pmTo Aunt Jan and all of my cousins, my thoughts and prayers are with you. Uncle John was my second dad. I know it is difficult to lose him but he is in heaven and no longer suffering. I know there are no words that help right now but just know that time helps ease the pain of losing a loved one.
Uncle John, give my Mom and Dad and everyone else a big hug for me. I love you Uncle John.
Lillian Batterson
October 22, 2018 at 5:29 amAnother fine man has departed this earth. John will be greatly missed by all his family and friends but he will be with you in spirit until you meet again. I have known John since elementary school. He was a good friend always kind and helpful. Rest in Peace my friend. You and your family will be in my prayers until you meet again.
Becky Sullivan
October 22, 2018 at 7:48 amI am so sorry about the passing of John Decker and he will be missed. My thoughts and prayers go out to Jan and family. May he rest in peace. I wish I had the magic words that would take your sorrow away right now because I would say it. Do know if you would need anything at any time please don’t hesitate to call.
With great sadness,
Becky Sullivan
Alice Lynch
October 22, 2018 at 9:39 amJan and family. I am sorry in the passing of John.I always enjoyed the times we had together to visit.It’s hard to understand why people are taken from us but find comfort in knowing you were part of a well lived life.My love thoughts and prayers are with you.
With my love
Aunt Ruth
Debbie Quinn
October 22, 2018 at 10:04 amJan and family – John was a valued volunteer at McLaren Greater Lansing, and also a Past President of the Volunteers. Please know we are keeping you all close in our thoughts and prayers.
Debbie Quinn
Ray Johnson
October 22, 2018 at 11:26 amJohn will be greatly missed and was a beloved Odd Fellows brother. I will miss him and send prays to his wife Jan and his family.
Deb and James Putman
October 22, 2018 at 12:47 pmTracy, we are so very sorry for your loss of your Father…prayers are sent to you and all of the families.
Keith and Tina Schafer
October 22, 2018 at 2:19 pmJan and Family – Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. Keith and I will miss John very much. John was a good friend and always had a story of some kind to tell us.
Randall Kamm - President, GLAHC
October 22, 2018 at 2:45 pmJohn was a real inspiration to me in the world of horseshoe pitching. John was made a lifetime member of the Greater Lansing Area Horseshoe Club in 2014. He was a long time member and made many contributions to the sport over many many years of involvement. It was a proud day for me when I gave him his Lifetime Membership certificate. He was very proud to receive it. The GLAHC would like to offer our sincere condolences to Jan and the rest of John’s family and to all his many friends. We will miss him greatly.
Joseph Decker
October 22, 2018 at 6:11 pmUnkle John will be missed.
Debbie & Mike Outwater
October 22, 2018 at 7:57 pmJan and family, our deepest condolences for your loss. John was a very good man. We are sorry for your loss.
Kevin Coleman
October 22, 2018 at 10:35 pmSo sorry to hear of John’s passing. He was always a true gentleman and will be greatly missed. I know that my dad thought the world of John. He was a true friend that would do anything for you. Thinking of you Jan and your entire family at this difficult time.
Sarah Tupica Berard
October 22, 2018 at 11:06 pmUncle John had the best smile and was such a kind and sweet person. My sympathies and love to Aunt Jan and family.
Jerry Chaffins
October 22, 2018 at 11:54 pmI have a lot of memories with Uncle John my first hunting trip and hunting camp was a great time!! times him and jan came to mom n dads we went swimming at crystal lake!! brought a toboggan one winter we all went to berthabrock park and tried to get all the way down the hill without crashing!! my first job after high school and I took the wrong road in life and let him down!! I did finaly get a chance and appoligized to him for letting him down made me feel a little better bout it but I wish I woul have done things diferant live n learn I guess gunna miss you John you been a good uncle love you rest in piece!!
Nancy Theroux
October 23, 2018 at 12:51 amI first met John when he joined forces with my dad (Frank Theroux) in the early 1960’s as the foreman of my dad’s newly formed land development company (Theroux Development Company). John was the swashbuckling, handsome young foreman who could do anything. He perfectly complimented my dad in their venture and they worked together for 50 years before John resigned his position. They built Grand Pointe subdivision on the Grand River in Dimondale out of a desolate swamp. They went on to build Windmill Park, a 484 unit mobile home park in Holt and an 18 hole golf course, Ironwood Links, in Mason.
I often accompanied my dad to current land development projects on weekends and over the summer. John, a rough and ready John Wayne type, was always kind to me and very tolerant. There was many a time my dad dumped me off in the shop under John’s supervision and he taught me a lot. John was a genius with engines, any engine. He taught me about butterfly valves, how to gap spark plugs, and if I was lucky he left me help with using a timing light.
Early on John became an elected officer of Theroux Development Company as the Secretary/Treasurer. He served in this position until he died. He was the resident expert on all things to do with the company by laws and he knew Robert’s Rules and Orders by heart. When I assumed the Presidency of Theroux Development Company after my father’s demise John was my trusted, knowledgeable advisor. I could not have survived the transition without him.
John was a brilliant man. He was a renaissance man in the world of construction. There wasn’t anything he could not do. He was a excellent manager, he was a tough but fair boss. He demanded the best of his workers. He was a tough disciplinarian but he had a huge heart. And, I know that some workers, who had to tow the line for him, probably never knew about his great sense of humor. He made me laugh and was the company historian who provided me with many valuable insights over the years. His loss is a void we will never fill.
John, I promise you I will learn Robert’s Rules of Order. And I will sign off saying that this statement has been “reviewed on place on file for audit”. If you are looking down from above you will know what this means.
I love you John.
Bob Carr
October 23, 2018 at 10:02 amI was greatly surprised when I saw this obit this morning. My heart felt thoughts and prayers for you Jan, and family. I too first met John and Jan while pitching horseshoe at Moores River Park. John was one of the most influential horseshoe pitchers I have encountered. Like someone said, he was so involved on local and state level to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. Lots of fond memories with John. He will be greatly missed. Bob Carr
Betty Patterson
October 23, 2018 at 10:07 amI had the opportunity to work on a committee with John, on a few of our Volunteer dinners. A fine man, and a joy to work with.
My thoughts and prayers for you, Jan, and your family.
Lynnann Valenzuela
October 25, 2018 at 10:16 amI will miss u uncleJohn and I’m so sorry for ur loss aunt Jan my thought and prayers to all my family.
Love, Lynnann Valenzuela-Ringle
Sylvia Ropp
October 26, 2018 at 2:28 pmI just learned of John’s passing and will definitely be praying for all of you.
Love, Sylvia Ropp