Jeanine Ann Decker Obituary (1937 - 2015)

Jeanine Ann Decker, 78, of Decatur, IL passed peacefully on Tuesday, September 9, 2015 at home with her children by her side. A funeral mass will be held at 10:00 AM Monday, September 14, 2015 at St. Patrick's Church. Visitation will be from 9 to10 at the church. Burial at Mount Gilead will immediately follow the mass. Dawson & Wikoff West Wood Street Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Jeanine was born on January 31, 1937 in Redbud Illinois, the daughter of Earl and Imogene Geppert Cowell. She grew up in Chester Illinois, graduated from St. Mary's Catholic School and Chester High School. She received her bachelors degree from Fontbonne University. She married Charles Richard Decker on June 6, 1959. She is survived by her children: Ann Britt, Lynn Lake, Chuck Decker and his wife LeAnne, nine grandchildren, one great grandchild and two beloved dogs. She is also survived by her cherished stepmother Alberta Cowell, brothers Earl Cowell (Julia) and David Cowell (Jean), sisters Virginia Burch (Michael), Kathy Klevorn (Joseph) and Sheila Welge (John). She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband and her brother James Cowell. Jeanine was rich in faith and a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church. She had a gift and used it to touch many young lives in her career as a Montessori teacher and a special education teacher. She was passionate about her dogs and about sharing that joy with others. Through her involvement with the organization Pet Partners, she often visited assisted living facilities, St. John's Hospital's children's ward and local schools. She served on the boards of directors of Decatur daycare and the Girl Scouts. She enjoyed volunteering at the Macon County Conservation District and Scovill Zoo. The family would like thank Dr. Richard Fritz, DMH Hospice and Father John Burnette. We greatly appreciate the support of her many friends, especially her dear friends and members of "Team Jeanine"; Patty, Sheila and Shirley. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to St. Patrick's Parish or Homeward Bound Pet Shelter of Decatur. Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.dawson-wikoff.com.