H. Joel Deckard

1942 - 2016

H. Joel Deckard

Mount Vernon, Ind.

Huey Joel Deckard, 74, of Little Elm, Texas, passed away September 6, 2016, at Baylor Medical Center in McKinney, Texas. He was born March 7, 1942, in Vandalia, Ill., to Noel G. and Caroline S. (Hayes) Deckard.

Joel was a graduate of Mount Vernon High School and the University of Evansville. He served in the Indiana National Guard. In 1966, Joel was elected to the Indiana General Assembly as a House Representative, serving four terms. At that time, he was the youngest person ever elected to the Indiana Legislature. In 1978, he was elected to the U.S. Congress, serving two terms. Joel was a ranking Republican member of the Natural Resources committee. While a member of Congress, he sponsored bills that established a grain shipping port in Mount Vernon and the University of Southern Indiana. Joel was also instrumental in obtaining a grant for the New Harmony Historical Society. Following his political career, he retired from Citibank as an accounts manager.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and brothers, Ron and Steve Deckard.

He is survived by his wife, Jennie (Redman) Deckard; daughter, Caroline Sunshine (Thomas) Deckard-Richardson; granddaughters, Kennedy and Evelyn Richardson; sister-in-laws, Mary Helen Deckard and Janice Deckard; and nieces and nephews.

Funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, September 12, 2016, at Schneider Funeral Home, 512 Main Street, Mount Vernon, Ind., with Brother Mark Tabor officiating and burial to follow in Bellefontaine Cemetery.

Visitation will be held from 4 until 6 p.m. Sunday, September 11, 2016, at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Historic New Harmony or the University of Southern Indiana Foundation.

Condolences may be made online at www.schneiderfuneralhome.com.