Don Decker

Don Decker, age 85, of Holland, died January 4, 2021 at The Toledo Hospital. He was born at home on April 25, 1935 near Bluffton, IN to the late Dale and Myrtle (Brown) Decker and grew up on the family farm. Don joined the United States Army after his Freshman year of college and was stationed in Taiwan and Formosa until being discharged in 1956. He returned to school at Ball State University and graduated with a teaching degree that he would never actually use. Don accepted a position in the HR Department at Franklin Electric and later went to work in HR at the Dana Corporation in Ft. Wayne, IN. This began a more than 40-year career with Dana which also included stints in Pottstown, PA, Seoul, South Korea, Ft. Wayne, IN, Plymouth, MI and Toledo. Don held the position of Director of Public Relations and retired as Executive Vice President. Following “retirement” he went to realty school and became a Realtor. Over the years, he served on numerous boards of civic and charitable organizations in Toledo. He was very proud of his 27 years of work on the board of the Marathon Classic LPGA Tournament and service as the General Chairman of the event in 1996. He was also the President of the Stone Oak Homeowner’s Association and President of Stone Oak Country Club. An avid golfer for 60 years, Don hit five holes-in-one (one of which landed him a new car). He had the good fortune of golfing with some of the world’s best professional golfer’s and including meeting in-person his ultimate golf idol, Arnold Palmer. In Don’s words: “I have had a wonderful life and can’t imagine how it could have been any better. It is my hope that I can be remembered as a good husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. That’s all one could ask for.” Left to cherish his memory is beloved wife of 62 years, Mary (Elston) Decker; sons, Brian (Cathy), Chris (Jeff) and Mark (Heidi) Decker; grandchildren, Alex, Brooke, Matt, Cole, Taylor and Ryan; brother, Dean Decker; sister, Rinda Robbins and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins throughout the country. He was also preceded in death by younger brothers, John David and Ron. A memorial service will be announced at a date to be determined. Memorial contributions may be made to a charity of the donor’s choice. Condolences and fond memories are encouraged to be shared on the Tribute Wall of this page.