Feb. 19, 1935 — Oct. 25, 2015

Jeanette E. Decker, 80, of Sister Lakes, Dowagiac, passed away at The Bridgman Country Manor in Bridgman, Michigan on Sunday, October 25, 2015.

A Celebration of Life Service will begin at 11 a.m. Friday, Oct. 30, 2015, at Clark Chapel and Cremation Services, 405 Center Street, Dowagiac, MI, with Pastor Scott Stambaugh of the Sister Lakes Community Church officiating. Jeanette will be laid to rest next to her husband at Keeler Cemetery. Friends may visit with the family from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29, 2015, at the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to donor’s choice. Those wishing to leave a memory or condolence of Jeanette online may do so at www.clarkch.com.

Jeanette was born Feb. 19, 1935, in Benton Harbor, Michigan to Adolph and Stella (Sedon) Dill. She attended Benton Harbor High School and then received her Associates Degree in business administration from Lake Michigan College in Benton Harbor. Later she furthered her education by attending evening classes at Southwestern Michigan College in Dowagiac.

Jeanette married Arnold Dean Decker on March 27, 1960, in Benton Harbor, Michigan. They lived at Sister Lakes for many years. Jeanette worked early in her career for VM (Voice of Music) in Benton Harbor and later on for many years at Sunstrand Corporation in Dowagiac. Jeanette also worked for the State of Michigan MESC office in Dowagiac and Benton Harbor. She was a genealogy enthusiast. Jeanette loved the color purple. She had an extensive collection of grape articles and was a very talented artist. She enjoyed jewelry and learned to fashion pieces out of stones and gems. She loved to vacation at their property in Baldwin, Michigan as well as their favorite spot in Florida. Jeanette was a member of the Michiana Gem & Mineral Society of South Bend, Indiana, the Southwest Michigan Genealogy & Local History society and a member of the Ladies Red Hat Society.

Jeanette is survived by two children; a son, Allen (Diane) Decker of Sister Lakes and a daughter, Darla (John) Kobrin of Saint Joseph, Michigan. She also leaves behind one grandson, Cody Decker. Jeanette was preceded in death by her parents and her husband, Arnold.