Obit: Decker, Clarence P. (1920 - 2017)

Transcriber: Robert Lipprandt
bob@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Decker, Gregory, Heigl, Manickam, Oudenhoven, Schmidt

----Source: The Star News (Medford, WI) 2/26/2017

Decker, Clarence P. (12 MAY 1920 - 23 FEB 2017)

Clarence P. Decker, age 96, of Colby, passed away on Thursday, February 23, 2017 at Dycora Transitional Health in Abbotsford.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 2, 2017 at St. Mary Help of Christians Catholic Parish in Colby. Father Peter Manickam and Father Tim Oudenhoven will officiate. Interment to follow at St. Mary Catholic Cemetery with Military Honors will be provided by the Colby VFW Post #2227.

Family and friends are welcome from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday, March 1 at the Maurina-Schilling Funeral Home in Abbotsford and from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service Thursday at the church.

Clarence was born on May 12, 1920 in Dorchester, the son of Peter and Kryzence (Heigl) Decker. He attended Dorchester schools. Clarence enlisted in the US Army in 1941 and was part of the 1st Armored Division, 81st Reconnaissance Division, Company B. He was in Morocco and eventually Sicily where he was injured. Clarence was sent stateside and was discharged from Ft. Smith in Arkansas, where he met his wife, Wanda Gregory. They were united in marriage on July 6, 1945 at Fort Smith. They moved back to Colby in 1955 and he worked at Kreoplin Buick Garage in Colby. Clarence retired from Schjoneman Truck and Trailer in 1983.

Clarence was a member of St. Mary Parish and past commander of the VFW Post #2227. He was an avid gardener, enjoyed camping, cooking over an open fire and even took up deer hunting at the age of 80. His favorite passions were fly fishing and telling stories about WWII. Clarence was even honored to have been chosen for the Honor Flight in 2011.

Clarence is survived by his son, James (Dana) Decker of Colby; grandchildren: Lukas and Emma Decker and Timothy Schmidt; great-granddaughter, Alivia Schmidt.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Wanda on May 17, 2008; nine brothers and sisters: George, James, Frank, Olivia, Charlotte, Tillie, Rose and twins born stillborn.

The Decker family would like to thank the Dycora Transitional Health staff for the care that went above and beyond their expectations of Clarence.