James Eugene Decker

PEORIA – James Eugene "Gene" Decker, Sr., 64, of Peoria, died at 1:45 a.m., Wednesday, May 30, 2012, at Methodist Medical Center in Peoria. He was born August 22, 1947, in Nashville, Illinois, to Charles E. and Jeanette E. Bowen Decker. He married Pamela Davis on May 15, 1970, in Peoria. She survives. Also surviving are his children, James (Emmalene Carter) Decker, Jr. of Peoria, Timothy (April Davis) Decker of Peoria, Kristy (Breelund) Davis of Peoria, Holly (Janelle Jones) Decker of Peoria; his grandchildren, Jacob, David, Draylund, Hailee, Aaliyah; his mother-in-law, Louise Davis of Peoria Heights; his sisters-in-law, Brenda Hankins of Peoria, Mary Marfell of Peoria Heights; several nieces and nephews and his close friends, Fred Jackson, Harry Sies, Jr and Dave Mc Ilvaney. He was preceded in death by his parents, niece and father-in-law. He was a graduate of Elmwood High school and a member of Averyville Baptist Church, where he also drove the church bus. He worked as a distiller for Hiram Walker and Sons in Peoria for 14 years, as a paper carrier and delivery agent for the Chicago Tribune for 14 years, for R.L. Polk, City Directory for six years and as a subscription solicitor for the Peoria Journal Star. He also served as a volunteer firefighter for Marquette Heights for four years. He was a member of Distillery Worker's Union, Local #55, was a Certified Bowling Coach and bowled with several leagues year round. He loved taking nature walks and enjoyed watching the animals. He loved his family, his cat "Sugar Foot" and his parakeet "Billy Boy" and was lovingly known by his family as "Uncle Boogie." Services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, June 4, 2012, at the Wilton Mortuary in Peoria. Pastor Howard Love will officiate. Visitation will be 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., Sunday, June 3, 2012, at the mortuary. Burial will be in Swan Lake Memory Gardens. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.thewiltonmortuary.com. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Decker family to help defray expenses.