Obituary of Paul Decker

Paul M. Decker, 89, of Coffeyville passed away on Monday, December 24, 2018 at Windsor Place in Coffeyville.

He was born on July 3, 1929 at Burlington, Kansas to Arthur and Marie (Giffin) Decker. Paul grew up in Burlington where he received his education graduating from Burlington High School.

He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy serving during the Korean War. After receiving his honorable discharge he returned to the Burlington area and began his career in construction.

On August 30, 1968 he married Dorothy Klaus at Miami, Oklahoma. They came to Coffeyville while Paul supervised the construction of the Student Union at Coffeyville Community College and the Dale Apartments for English Construction Co. After the completion of those projects several area business men convinced Paul to start his own business Decker Construction Co. in 1970. Over the years Decker Construction grew under Paul’s leadership doing construction projects all over Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas and Missouri having business locations in Coffeyville and Burlington. Paul remained active in the business until retiring.

Paul was a member of Holy Name Catholic Church in Coffeyville, a founding member of Coffeyville Sertoma Club, and the Bears and Bulls Investment group. Paul and Dorothy enjoyed traveling in their motor home throughout the United States and spent time traveling in Europe. He also enjoyed fishing and loved spending time with his family.

Survivors include his wife, Dorothy of the home; his children, Don Decker and wife, Dottie of Coffeyville, Julie Schnoor of Coffeyville, Theresa Wells and husband, Tim of Coffeyville, Paula Juinta and husband, Mike of Denver, Colorado, and Rick Decker and wife, Joyce of Castle Rock, Colorado; son-in-law; Kirk Lieswald of Coffeyville; sister Artis Knowles of Hesston, Kansas; brother, Roy Decker of Littleton, Colorado; half-brother, Orland Osyer and wife, Miai of Billings, Montana; fourteen grandchildren and twenty-one great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Debra Lieswald in 2017; one son, Scott Decker in 2006; one great granddaughter, Madison Decker in 2004; and two brothers, Robert “Bob” Decker and Edward Decker.

The Rosary will be recited on Saturday, December 29, 2018 at 9:30 a.m. followed by Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Name Catholic Church with Father Dan Lorimer officiating. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery in Coffeyville.

Friends may call on Friday from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the David W. Barnes Funeral Home in Coffeyville.

The family suggests memorials in Paul’s memory to Holy Name Catholic Church or Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice; contributions may be left with funeral home or mailed in care of David W. Barnes Funeral Home, 306 North Cline Road, Coffeyville, KS 67337.