Dean Decker, 86, of Vandalia died Tuesday, July 27, 2010 at Lakeland Medical Center, St. Joseph.

He was born June 27, 1924 in Noble, Ill. to Thurman and Lillie (Cokley) Decker. He married Patricia Allen on Oct. 3, 1970 in Marcellus. She survives.

He moved to Cass County at age 14 and spent most of his life there. He owned and operated Decker Motor Sales in Cassopolis for 51 years. He loved his cars. Dean was also a member of the Three Rivers Elks Lodge.

Along with his wife, he is survived by two daughters, Sarah Kley, of Plymouth, Ind. and Susan Miller, of Buchanan; a son, Thomas Decker, of Cassopolis; three stepdaughters, Sandra Syndur, of Herndon, Va., Bonnie Sargent, of Canada and Constance Randall, of Osceola; a stepson, David Starr, of Buchanan; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Family and friends will gather Wednesday, Aug. 11 at Connelly Chapel, Wagner Family Funerals, Cassopolis at 1 p.m. until the time of service at 2 p.m. The Rev. Larry Settle, retired pastor of Pleasant View Church of Christ, Cassopolis, will officiate.

Interment will be at Decker Cemetery, Noble, Ill. at a later date.

Memorial contributions may be made to Cass County Medical Care Facility, 23770 Hospital St., Cassopolis MI 49031.

Arrangements are entrusted to Connelly Chapel, Wagner Family Funerals, Cassopolis.

Online condolences may be sent to connellychapel@frontier.com.