Joseph was born on September 18, 1935 to the late Joseph and Mildred (Meyer) Decker in Sussex N.J. Joseph married his high school sweetheart, the former Dolores Mussolini of Newton, N.J. Raising their six children Joseph R. III, Cindy A., Cathy M., Diana L., Jeffrey A. and Denise M. was their proudest accomplishment. Joseph is survived by his loving wife Dolores, his 6 children, daughters-in-law Pati, Maxine, Kathy, sons-in-law Dominick and John, and ten grandchildren Tavia, Dustin, Martine, Arielle, Drew, Nicholas, Dylan, Linnea, Peyton and Decker. He has 9 great-grandchildren. Joseph is predeceased by his brother William of Newton, N.J. In 1970, Joseph and Dolores were fortunate to have Janise (from Brazil) as an exchange student. She has stayed in touch ever since and is like family. She was able to come this year to help celebrate Joseph and Dolores’s 70th wedding anniversary.
Joseph proudly served 26 years in the U.S. Military and Army National Guard. The highlights of his military career included Provost Marshal for 79th ARCOM, assistant operations officer 1156 USAR school, assistant operations/air 50th ARMOR Brigade HQ Woodbridge, N.J., assistant operations/air 3rd Battalion HQ, Dover, N.J., Commander executive officer and platoon leader C Company 3rd Battalion, 50th Armor Division, Newton, N.J.
Joseph graduated from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. Joseph was manager for Wilson Electric and then owned and operated Main Street Grocery with his wife until he retired in 2003. Joseph is a member of N.J. Masonic Lodge No. 7, Branchville Businessmen’s Club, former member of Newton School Board (President), Newton Rotary, Newton Chamber of Commerce, Sussex and Warren Electrical Contractor Association, and U.S. Armor Association. Other interests included seeing his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, traveling, hiking/walking, gardening and most sports—especially college wrestling.
A visitation for Joseph will be held on Saturday, October 4, 2025 from 4pm to 7pm and on Sunday, October 5, 2025 from 11am to 12pm. Funeral services with masonic and military honors will take place on Sunday, October 5 at 12pm.
Warm memories and condolences to Joseph’s family may be offered below.
