Biography
ELBERT THOMAS "TOM"
DECKER
Hatfield, IN - Elbert Thomas
"Tom" Decker, 69, of Hatfield,
Indiana passed away Sunday, July 6,
2008 at Deaconess Gateway Hospital
in Newburgh, Indiana.
Tom was born in Evansville,
Indiana on June 21, 1939 to the late
Oscar and Pauline (Lenn) Decker.
He was a member of the Hatfield
United Methodist Church. He had
served in the United States Army.
He retired from A.E.P. in the
operations department. Tom was a
Kentucky Colonel, former member of
the Luce Township volunteer fire
department, former Spencer County
Coroner, Boy Scout leader and he
enjoyed hunting and fishing.
Tom was a 40 year Mason of high
distinction. He was raised a Master
Mason in Eureka Lodge # 397 in
1967, where he served as Worshipful
master in 1973 and again in 2006.
He was a member and past Patron of
Eureka Chapter # 132, O.E.S. He
served on the Council of Roscoe
Kiper DeMolay Chapter in Boonville,
Indiana and was a recipient of the
DeMolay Legion of Honor. He was
a member of the York Rite, Royal
Order of Scotland and Hadi Shrine.
Tom was instrumental in the
formation of the 26th degree cast of
the Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite,
Valley of Evansville, where he served
as Commander-in-Chief. He was
crowned Sovereign Grand Inspector
General, Thirty-Third Degree, in St.
Louis, MO, in 1982. He was
commissioned by the Grand Lodge of
Montana as its Grand Representative
and had just returned from their
Annual Communication on June 29th.
As Worshipful master in 2006, he
presided and opened a Lodge of
Master Masons and received the
Grand Master of Masons in Indiana
for the formal opening of the Most
Worshipful Grand Lodge of Free and
Accepted Masons.
Tom is survived by his wife,
Carolyn S. Decker; Children, John
Decker and his wife Kelli of Hatfield,
IN. Mary Allen and her husband Will
of Newburgh, IN; Three
grandchildren, Cory Davis, Luke
Decker, Brooke; Sister, Frances
Lindenschmidt; Several nieces and
nephews.
Services are 2 p.m. Wednesday,
July 9, 2008 at the Boultinghouse
Funeral Home in Rockport, IN. with
Rev. Rollin Simpson and Rev. Reno
DeMuth officiating. Burial is in
James Parker Cemetery in Hatfield,
IN. The Rockport American Legion
Post 254 will conduct Military
Honors.
Visitation is from 2 p.m until 8 p.m.
Tuesday, July 8, 2008 and from 8
a.m. until the time of service
Wednesday at the funeral home. A
celebration of life service will be held
at 6 p.m. A Masonic service will be
held at 7 p.m.
Memorial contributions may be
made to the Hatfield United
Methodist Church Youth
Organization and the Indiana
Masonic Home.
Facts
Born: June 21, 1939
Place of Birth: Evansville, Indiana
Death: July 6, 2008
Place of Death: Newburgh, Indiana
Donations
Memorial donations may be made to:
Hatfield United Methodist Church, Indiana Masonic Home
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