Howard B. Decker

DECKER - Howard B., 96, Windber, walked away from this life on August 15th, 2021. Born July 22, 1925 in Central City. Son of Charles and Olive (Fletcher) Decker. Preceded in death by parents, wife Agnes "Mickey" (Hunter), niece Sandy, sisters Vera and Geraldine ("Bud" Moyer) and brothers Roy (Mary), Charles (Twila), Lloyd (Willa Mae) and Bob (Shirley) and their spouses. He is survived by his daughter Michelle, Sisters-in-law Ann Hoffman and Ruth Mishler (Ray), nieces Carolyn, Cheryl, Marlene Morris, Jayeanne Holsopple (Bruce), Peggy DeGory, Danielle Mishler, nephews Jason Hunter (Lisa), Chris Hunter (Judy), Dennis Decker, Roger Decker, Dennis Mishler, Doug Mishler and many great and great-great nieces and nephews. Howard liked to tell stories of growing up in a big family on a farm during the depression. He had a horse named Pat that he used to ride as a boy while helping his dad plow the fields. Neither he nor Pat liked plowing. His life spanned cars called whippets, the new fangled device called radios and kerosene lamps on the kitchen table, to the moon landings and the internet. He was a veteran of WWII, serving in Patton's 3rd Army in the European Theater of Operations. He saw combat in the Battle of the Bulge and was one of the soldiers that liberated the first concentration camp taken by the Americans in Ordurf, Germany. As he would say, "I was one of the guys." After the war he returned home and began dating Agnes "Mickey" Hunter. They had known each other in high school and he said that she would always dance with him, even though he didn't know how to dance. They were married on Aug. 4, 1947 and moved to Cleveland, OH, where Howard got a job at General Electric. He started out as a trainee on a screw machine and retired some 40 years later as plant tool design engineer. Retirement held golfing and traveling to 48 of 50 states in his Buick Park Avenue. He was a lifetime member VFW Post 2926 in Cleveland and the American Legion Post 7 in Wickliffe, where he was past Commander. He moved back to Windber in 2018 to enjoy the country life. He loved to drive around the fields in his John Deere Gator "Tinker Deer" and eat tomatoes right off the vine. He also loved to watch the sunsets over the trees and mountains from the back porch. Visitation will be held from 10 am until time of service at 11 am, Thursday at Meek & Dalla Valle Funeral Home, Windber. Rev. Mark Murchie, officiating. Interment Berkey Cemetery, Windber. Military graveside rites by Windber VFW Post 4795 ritual team. www.meekfuneralhome.com.

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