He was a Gunner's Mate 2nd Class in the US Navy, serving in the Korean
War.
Residences:
Mattoon, IL, where, in 1961, Jim obtained a job at Central Illinois
Public Service, serving most of his time within the gas department.
Effingham, IL. He was transferred by CIPS when promoted to Gas
Utility Foreman, the position he held until retirement a few years
later in 1993.
James Decker -
EFFINGHAM - James "Jim" W. Decker, 80, of Effingham, formerly ofMattoo n, died at 5:06 p.m. Monday, June 13, 2011, at his residence.Funeral s ervices honoring his life will begin at 10:00 a.m. ThursdayJune 16, 20 11 at the First Christian Church, 1600 Wabash AvenueMattoon, with Reve rend Dr. Mark Prevo officiating. Burial withMilitary Rites will follow a t the Pleasant Grove Cemetery, CooksMills. Visitation for family and f riends will be from 5-7 p.m. at theSchilling Funeral Home tonight, Jun e 15, 2011. Jim was born July 9,1930 in Coles County, a son of Melvin a nd Helen Madge (Boldt) Decker.He married Bonnie Young on December 23, 1 951. He was preceded indeath by his parents, a son Steven R. Decker an d son in-law, DaveHunt; a sister Judy Decker and a brothers Bob Decker a nd Fred Cline.Survivors include his wife, Bonnie (Young) Decker; a dau ghter,Shelley Hunt of Normal, Illinois; daughter, Cindy Beckwith and husband Bryon of Westminster, Colorado; a son Randy Decker and wifeLupe o f Midland, Texas; grandchildren, Amanda Solomon and husbandMark of Cor dova, Tennessee; Wesley Carr Hunt and wife Kate ofShirley, Illinois; L indsay Priebe and husband Scott of Pewaukee,Wisconsin; Laura Catherine D ecker of Marietta, Georgia; Randal LeeDecker Jr. of Midland, Texas; Ch ristopher Beckwith of Atlanta,Georgia; Abigail Beckwith of Westminster , Colorado; Ian Beckwith ofWestminster, Colorado; great-grandchildren, J oseph; Evan; Hunt; JamesWesley; Walker; Garrett; Rowan; sisters, June T hornton of Mattoon;Cassie Edwards and husband Charles of Mattoon; a br other Joe Deckerand wife Anne of Columbia Falls, Montana; as well as m any nieces andnephews. Jim retired from Ameren (C.I.P.S.) as a gas uti lity foremanin Effingham after 30 years of service. Mr. Decker served f our yearsin the United States Navy during the Korean War. He was a mem ber ofthe First Christian Church and the American Legion Post 88. Memo rialdonations in his honor are suggested to American Cancer Society , First Christian Church or a charity of your choice.
Published in Journal Gazette & Times-Courier on June 15, 2011
