Oscar Conrad Decker, Jr., Major General, U.S. Army (retired), 94, a native of Nebraska and a 33-year-resident of Marysville, died Friday, Sept. 20, 2019 at his daughter’s home in Haymarket, Virginia, surrounded by his loving family.
He spent most of his life in the Army, beginning in World War II as an enlisted soldier and retiring 40 years later in 1983 as a general officer.
He was a member of St. John’s Lutheran Church since 1959 and, upon Army retirement, became active in Marysville and Union County community service.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Pastor Oscar and June Decker of Marysville; his sister, Connie (Don) Megison of Cincinnati; his brother, Allan (Teckla) Decker of Mountain City, Tennessee; his daughter, Kathleen (Doug) Barker of Marysville; and one grandson, David Oscar Decker of Davisburg, Michigan.
He is survived by his wife of 74 years, Ella Mae (Babe) Decker, the sister of his Army buddy who introduced them during WWII; one daughter, Linda (Vernon) Ingram of Haymarket; one son, David (Patty) Decker of Davisburg, Michigan; nine grandchildren, Michael (Rene), Dan (Michelle), Kristen (Sean), Jill (Dan), Jane, Matthew, Daniel, Rachael, and Rebecca; 10 great-grandchildren, Hunter, Ashley, Abby, Alyssa, Emily, Myka, Ryan, Jake, Alex, and Juliette; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
A service and interment will be scheduled in the coming months at Arlington National Cemetery with Military Rites.
In his memory, contributions may be made to Honor Flight Columbus (honorflightcolumbus.org) or Homes For Our Troops (hfotusa.org).