Surnames: Decker, Willger, Hiegel, Sulik, Anderson, Ellenbecker, Louret, Krug, Saladin, Habermeyer

----Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, Wood Co., Wis.) Thur., Aug. 21, 2008

Decker, Frank J. (26 Feb. 1916 - 19 Aug. 2008)

Frank J. Decker

DORCHESTER -- Frank J. Decker, 92, of the town of Little Black in Taylor County, passed away Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2008, at the Golden Living Center-Continental Manor in Abbotsford, Wis. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 23, 2008, at St. Louis Catholic Church in Dorchester, Wis. The Rev. Gerard Willger will officiate. Burial will follow in Dorchester Memorial Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday, and again from 10 a.m. until service time Saturday, both at the church in Dorchester, Wis.

Frank was born Feb. 26, 1916, to Peter and Krezenz (Hiegel) Decker in the town of Little Black. He attended Liberty School in Little Black and graduated from the eighth grade. After grade school, Frank continued to work on the homestead farm, which later became Frank and his wife's farm.

Frank married Neva O. Sulik on May 28, 1941, at St. Louis Catholic Church in Dorchester, Wis. Together they continued to farm and raise their family. Frank also was employed at Meyer Machine Shop in Dorchester, where he worked as an engineer and designer for over 40 years. Frank was instrumental in developing the first Meyer Self-Unloading Forage Box. Frank and Neva also maintained a milk hauling operation in the Dorchester area.

In his spare time, Frank enjoyed fishing and hunting and cutting and splitting wood. Frank was a man of few words, however his expression, "Work hard, it's good for you," is fondly remembered by his children.

Frank was a member of St. Louis Catholic Church in Dorchester and a member of the Catholic Order of Forester's for more than 75 years.

Frank is lovingly survived by his children, Michael (Connie) Decker of Dorchester, Fred (special friend Darlene Anderson) Decker of Medford, Frank (Judy) Decker of Schofield, Kristine (Roger) Ellenbecker of Allenton, Rachel Louret of Medford, Claudette (special friend Wayne Krug) Saladin of Dorchester; 13 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. He is further survived by a sister, Charlotte Habermeyer of Stetsonville; and a brother, Clarence Decker of Colby, Wis. Also survived by many nieces and nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Frank was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; two brothers and five sisters.

In lieu of flowers, Frank's family has asked that memorials in their father's name be given to the Clark County Humane Society in Neillsville, or memorials may be given to the family to be donated to various charities of the family's choosing.