Lt. Col. (USAF Ret.) Ronald C Decker

DECKER, Ronald Charles, Lt. Col. (USAF Ret.), 77, passed away on Friday, December 28, 2018 at his home in Dayton, OH following a long and brave battle against cancer. The eldest of nine children, Ron was born and raised in Erie, PA. After graduating from Cathedral Preparatory School and Gannon University, he entered the United State Air Force and trained as a pilot. He served in Viet Nam and retired as a Lt. Colonel after serving 20 years. After retirement he worked for Universal Technology Corp as a Program Manager for 20 years. His interests were varied including the Western Ohio Woodworkers, TMG Dayton, Dayton Amateur Radio Association, Southern Ohio Forge and Anvil, and the Lincoln Society of Dayton, but his love was volunteering at the Engineer’s Club of Dayton to preserve the building and its legacy. He served on the Board of Directors and was awarded the Deeds Kettering Award in 2014. He is survived by his wife of 50 years Judy S. Marsh Decker, daughters Jennifer (Erle) Haunn and Lisa (Tim) Hawkins, both of Ohio, and son Zachary (Sarah) Decker of Grayslake, IL. He will be sadly missed by six grandchildren: Sarah and Maria Haunn, Neal and Shay Hawkins, and Samantha and Nora Decker, his in-laws Fred and Sharon Hollis of Texas, as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews. Other survivors include his siblings: Anna Marie DuShole, Kathleen Reichert, David Decker, Rita Macomber, Mark Decker, all of Erie County, Jean Horn of Granville, OH, and Mary Danks of Lexington, VA. He was preceded in death by his father Joseph Decker, mother Marie (Altman) Decker, and his younger brother Thomas Decker. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am on Thursday, January 3, 2019 at St Helen Catholic Church, 5100 Burkhardt Rd., Riverside. Fr. Satish Joseph celebrant. Interment will follow at Calvary Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm at the Tobias Funeral Home – Beavercreek Chapel, 3970 Dayton-Xenia Rd. at Grange Hall Rd. on Wednesday, January 2, 2019. www.tobiasfuneralhome.com.