James Richard Decker

It is with heavy hearts that we announce that James Richard Decker, 89, of Antioch, IL and formerly of Lincoln, IL, passed away peacefully on January 24th, 2025, with his loving family around him.

Jim was born on October 28, 1935 to Ferne and Elva Decker and grew up in Lincoln, IL. At Lincoln Community High School he was on a championship basketball team and was the president of his senior class. After graduating from LCHS in 1953, he completed his education at Brown’s Business College in Peoria. It was during this time that he met the love of his life, Doris Marshall, while accompanying his sister Betty to a General Electric holiday party in Bloomington. The fact that Jim took dancing lessons at Arthur Murray’s Dance Studio no doubt helped their romance along. They were married on June 22, 1957 at Lincoln Christian Church. Thereafter he became manager of the newly opened The Family Shoe Store in Lincoln. 

He was transferred to Kewanee, IL to open and manage The Family Shoe there and also in Chillicothe, IL. It was during this time they started a family, having two daughters a few years apart. In Kewanee, Jim was active in the community. He was a member of the Chamber of Commerce, the Kewanee Hog Festival Committee, and the Jaycees service organization, with whom he helped grill hundreds of BBQ pork chops during Hog Days. He also square-danced with Dori as members of the Kewanee Kickers.

Eventually, Jim and his wife purchased the Kewanee and Chillicothe stores, and finally bought the Lincoln store, moved back, and called it Decker’s Family Shoe. It really was a family store as both his parents and his children worked there at times, with his brothers and other family coming to help out at sidewalk sales. They expanded by opening Dori’s Shoes on the square for women and children. He continued to be active in the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce and served on the Hot Air Balloon Fest Committee. 

He lived out at Lincoln Lakes and enjoyed fishing off his pontoon boat, often teaching youngsters in the family how to bait a hook and catch a big one. He grew giant, tasty tomatoes from seeds that were brought over by Polish immigrants, played cards with his family and friends, and he relished watching Cubs games while sipping on a cold beer. Jim was a lifelong Cubs devotee. He had a good natured rivalry with his Cardinal fan brother Larry and he texted the joys and sorrows of the Cubs games with his Cub fan brother Dan. He has a brick paver at Wrigley Field that says “Jim Decker - #1 Cubs Fan.” Indeed he was. Jim and Dori retired in 1996 and moved north to Antioch in 2013 to be close to their daughters.

Jim is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Doris Decker, nee Marshall, of Antioch, IL; his daughters Dr. Lynn (Dr. Steven) Mershon of Sarasota, FL, and Valerie Decker of Antioch, IL; his grandsons David (Julie) Mershon of Antioch, IL, and Kevin (Dr. Katharine) Mershon of Waynesville, NC; his brothers Larry (Mary) Decker of Bettendorf, IA and Dan (Joan) Decker of Dubuque, IA; and many beloved nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents Elva & Ferne (nee Baker) Decker, and his sister Betty (the late Kermit) DeJarnette.

Jim Decker was a kind, funny, and gentle man who loved his family deeply. He was an exemplary husband, father, brother and son. He was a caring and helpful neighbor and a great friend. He had a clever sense of humor and a talent for seeing the good in people. He is profoundly missed.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 21, 2025 at the Fricke-Calvert-Schrader Funeral Home, 127 S. Logan, Lincoln, IL 62656. Visitation will be from 10:00am to 12:00pm. The service will begin at noon. There will be a Celebration of Life held as well in Antioch, IL later in the year. Details for Antioch will be forthcoming.

Memorial donations can be made to the American Heart Association or the Humane Society of Logan County.

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