Mary Jane Decker

With heavy hearts and immense gratitude for her life, we announce the passing of Mary Jane Decker, who returned to her heavenly home on September 18, 2024, surrounded by her beloved family. Born on June 22, 1952, Mary was a devoted wife, loving mother, cherished sister, dearest aunt, and greatly beloved grandmother. She touched the lives of everyone she met with her kindness, warmth, and steadfast faith.

For 52 beautiful years, Mary shared her life with her devoted husband and eternal companion, Charles Decker, who lovingly held her hand and stayed by her side until her final moments. Together, they built a family grounded in love, faith, and service. Mary is lovingly remembered by her children: Mary Louann Knuckles, Deborah Leann Luke and her husband Joshua, Heather DeMarco and her husband Albert, and John David Decker and his wife Sydney. She was also a proud and adoring grandmother to ten beautiful grandchildren: Morgan Sabrina, Erika, Brayden David, Christina Mae, Joseph Ayden, Thomas Benjamin, Ayvarie, Ayva, Joshua Noah, and Henry David, each of whom she cherished deeply and will live on in.

Mary was a devoted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her faith was her compass, and her life reflected Christ’s love in all she did. As a retired schoolteacher from Whitley County, she nurtured countless children, always offering the same care and dedication she showed her family. She will be dearly missed by her family, friends, and all who were blessed to know her.

Mary had a special love for butterflies, which she saw as a symbol of transformation, hope, and eternal life. Just as the butterfly is freed from its cocoon, Mary has now found her eternal rest, filled with joy in the presence of her Savior.

*"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day."* — 2 Timothy 4:7-8

Visitation for Mary will be held from 6-8 pm on Saturday, September 21, 2024, at the Vankirk-Grisell Funeral Home.  Her funeral service will be held on Sunday September 22nd at 2:00 pm at the Vankirk-Grisell Funeral Home.  Burial will follow in the Walters Cemetery in Rockholds, Kentucky.

Though we mourn her passing, we take comfort in knowing she is now at peace, reunited with loved ones and embraced by the arms of our Savior. Her legacy of love, faith, and kindness will live on in the hearts of her family and all those whose lives she touched.

In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests charitable contributions be made in Mary Jane Decker’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, which is currently conducting research on the type of cancer she battled, to help children facing the same illness.