Obituary of John Decker

John Orville Decker, 82 year old resident of Ripley County, MO departed this life July 6, 2017 at the Poplar Bluff Regional Medical Center in Poplar Bluff, MO.  He was born June 13, 1935 to the late Abe and Lena Dirks Decker in Halstead, Kansas.

In 1938 the family moved to a farm near Parsons, Kansas, where he spent his childhood years, attending a little county school for 8 years, where he received his formal education.  Together with his 6 siblings he learned to work, helping out with chores and other farm work.  Then in 1968 he and his sister together with their parents moved to a farm in southeastern Missouri near Doniphan, where he farmed and raised cattle.  He enjoyed working on his farm where he could be close to nature.  When his health began to fail it was very difficult for him to leave his little farm.  After a time of needing to be hospitalized and the need or more care he spent the last three months of his life in the Mark Twain Caring Center in Poplar Bluff. 

John had a quiet way, was kind and caring and wanted to help his friends and neighbors.  In later times his good hearted neighbors reached out to him and helped him a lot which was very much for his good.  He wanted to do what was right before God but maybe not always knowing or being willing to do how he really should.  Recently he expressed regrets and wished he would have done differently years ago. 

John is survived by one brother; Ben and his wife Marlene of Walker, Missouri; two sisters, Alta Langer and Elizabeth Miller both of Nashville, Tennessee and his nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and three brothers; Elmer, Archie and Harvey. 

Visitation will be Thursday July 13 at 10 AM at Edwards Funeral Home with Funeral services following at 11 AM at Edwards Funeral Home with burial at Poynor Cemetery.