Bonnie Jean Decker (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Bonnie Jean (Stepp) Decker, daughter of Harold Levon and Lucy Mae Gardner Stepp, was born September 6, 1931, in Warren, Indiana. She entered her heavenly home Saturday, May 16, 2015, in Lebanon North Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, in Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of eighty-three years, eight months, and ten days.
On September 24, 1957, in Muncie, Indiana, she was united in marriage to Chester Harold “Red” Decker, and to this union one daughter and one son were born.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Chester, on September 21, 2006; a son, John Lamb; a brother, Richard Stepp; four brothers-in-law, David Henson, Billy Rogers, Robert Decker, and Kenneth Decker; and a sister-in-law, Carol Burgess.
Bonnie is survived by a daughter, Barbara Jean Courson, and her husband, David, of Stoutland, Missouri; three sons, Tim Decker, and his wife, Natalie, of Lebanon, Missouri, Jack Lamb, and his wife, Debra, of Amarillo, Texas, and Virgil (Junior) Lamb, and his wife, Jean, of Eugene, Oregon; two stepchildren, Denny Decker, and his wife, Cathy, and Cindy Arnett, all of Hartford City, Indiana; eighteen grandchildren; a number of great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; several sisters-in-law; many nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
She was born and raised in Indiana, and made her home there for many years. Throughout the years, Bonnie was a devoted homemaker to her husband and a loving mother to her children. Later, the family moved to their farm, near Lebanon, where Bonnie and Chester raised feeder pigs during the early years, and then later raised beef cattle. They were both very proud of their farm and worked hard turning it into a beautiful place.
Bonnie was a member of Mount Pleasant United Methodist Church, near Lebanon. She loved getting all dressed up and attending services.
In their early years together, Bonnie and Red would go on vacations taking all the kids camping, and fishing. They bought a house at Lake Webster in Indiana, where boating and water skiing were some of their favorite activities. Bonnie and Chester loved to go to the Elks Lodge and American Legion clubs to dance. Bonnie still enjoyed dancing up until she was not able. Bonnie loved the outdoors, particularly bow and gun hunting with her hunting buddies, her son, Tim, Kenny Decker and Raymond Sellers. She enjoyed fishing at her friends, Joe and Maria’s Lake. She was a member of the Bow Club and enjoyed fellowship with her good friends, Raymond and Alice Sellers. She enjoyed her horse and liked going on trail rides. She was a true animal lover, having had several dogs through the years. Her dog, “Buppy” was very special to her and Tim and Natalie would bring “Buppy” to see her in the care center where the other residents enjoyed her too. Bonnie loved growing flowers and gave her daughter, Barbara Jean, the Wisteria vine that had never bloomed for her. Barbara Jean took it home and planted it. It never bloomed for twenty years, until February of this year. Bonnie was a wonderful cook and enjoyed entertaining with big fish fries, holiday and birthday dinners. She was always considered a beauty with her beautiful, naturally curly hair and petite size. Her family was very important to her and she especially enjoyed her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Bonnie was a loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, great-great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate her life and know that she will be fondly remembered and greatly missed by all those who knew and loved her.
I Love You A Bushel And A Peck!
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