Donald Dean Decker

DONALD DEAN DECKER Donald Dean Decker, M.D., was born at Montezuma, Kansas, on January 11, 1931, the son of Irvin B. and Matilda Unruh Decker, and died October 24, 2025, at the age of 94. He married Alice Nelson at Galva, Kansas, on June 1, 1952. Together, they were the parents of Terence Nelson Decker and Jennifer Jo Decker. He was preceded in death by his wife Alice, his parents, three brothers, and two sisters. He is survived by his sister Marlene Zusman, his son Terence, and his daughter Jennifer.  At the age of 14 years, Don moved to Galva, Kansas, where he graduated from High School and attended McPherson College for one year before transferring to the University of Kansas. He received his M.D. degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine in 1956.  Following an internship at Wesley Hospital in Wichita, Kansas, he served in the U.S. Navy as a flight surgeon for 2 1/2 years before returning to the University of Kansas Medical Center for specialty training in internal medicine and cardiology.  After completion of medical training, he joined the staff of the Hertzler Clinic at Halstead, Kansas, where he practiced until 1997.  He was a diplomate of the American Board of Internal Medicine and the Cardiology Subspecialty Board, a member of the Harvey County Medical Society, the Kansas Medical Society, the American Medical Association, the American College of Physicians, the American College of Cardiology, and past president of the Kansas Heart Association.  He has served on the Board of Trustees of the Hertzler Research Foundation and the Kansas Learning Center for Health since 1966. He was also a member of the  American Legion.  Don's practice of medicine was characterized by careful attention to detail and the philosophy that the welfare of the patient always comes first; his family life sometimes suffered as a result.  He enjoyed time with his family, working in the yard, and reading on a wide variety of subjects.  The plight of animals was of concern to him, and he served on the board of directors of the Caring Hands Humane Society for several years. Aviation was also of interest to him, and he held a private pilot's license. He enjoyed the simple things of life, such as sunrises, sunsets, the moon and stars, rainbows, and music from the big band era.  A private graveside service with military honors will be held on Friday, Oct. 31, at the Empire Cemetery near Galva, Kansas.  Memorial donations may be given to The Kansas Learning Center for Health in Halstead, KS, in care of Stockham Family Funeral Home, 205 North Chestnut, McPherson, KS 67460. Personal condolences may be sent to the family at www.stockhamfamily.com.