Kenneth Wade Decker

Kenneth “Deck” Decker, of Smithton, IL, died on Sunday November 30th, 2025, at Belleville Memorial Hospital. He was born on September 30th, 1956 and is a 1974 graduate of Belleville East Township High School.

Ken was a loving husband, dad, papa, brother, and Navy veteran who filled every day with humor and heart. He passed away surrounded by the people who loved him most.

Ken proudly served in the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Thomaston (LSD-28), carrying the memories and values from his service with him throughout his life. After the Navy, he spent many years as a locomotive engineer with Alton & Southern Railway. In retirement, he stayed active, driving a school bus for the Freeburg Community School District—a job he truly enjoyed. The kids, the routines, and the small everyday moments meant a great deal to him.

Ken and his wife, Susan, shared 21 years of love, partnership, and simple joys. They enjoyed traveling and spending time with their grandchildren. During the summers, Ken loved being lakeside at his cabin in southern Illinois—a place where he could relax, host family, put meat on the smoker, and settle in to watch a baseball game. He was a lifelong fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and the St. Louis Blues, cheering them on with unwavering passion whether on TV or over the radio.

Ken is survived by his wife, Susan; his loyal dog, Wilma; his sisters Sharon Decker (Walt), Charlotte Graef (Ray), and Shannon Bowen (Jeff); his daughters Amy Decker and Ashley Jarden (Lloyd); and his grandchildren—Laithen, Lou, Wes, and Viv—each of whom brought him immeasurable joy. Ken proudly gave them the nicknames “Dodger,” “Stealer,” “Woody,” and “Vivi Blue,” names that will forever be spoken with love. “Uncle K” also leaves behind many nephews, nieces, cousins, shipmates, and close friends who were like family.

He is preceded in death by his father, Merle; his mother, Ruth; and his brother, Denny, whom he missed dearly.

Ken will be remembered for his sharp wit, his perfectly timed one-liners, and his gift for making a room erupt with laughter without even trying. His humor was truly one of a kind—effortless, genuine, and unforgettable. Though he will be profoundly missed, the jokes, stories, and memories he leaves behind will continue to bring smiles to everyone who loved him.

Visitation will be held at Lake View Funeral Home, located at 5000 North Illinois Street, Fairview Heights, IL, on December 7, 2025, from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm. An additional visitation will take place at the same location on December 8, 2025, from 8:45 am to 9:30 am.

The funeral service will also be held at Lake View Funeral Home on December 8, 2025, from 9:30 am to 10:30 am.

Following the funeral services, there will be a committal to Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis, MO, for Kenneth's final resting place.