Arlene Decker

Arlene Esther Decker departed this life on October, 9, 2010 as a result of Alzheimer’s Disease. She was the daughter of the late Clarence Oscar and Francena (Walker) Romberger and was a native of PA. She was born on April 27, 1921 in Lykens, PA and graduated from high school in Wiconisco, PA in 1939. She married Forrest Laverne Decker, Sr. on December 18, 1944 and remained married to him for 55 years until he passed away on January 6, 2000 in Layton, Utah where he and Arlene had lived for 30 years after leaving their home in PA in 1966 due to the closing of the base at Middletown, PA. Arlene and Forrest raised 5 children during their marriage and are survived by those children, spouses and grandchildren as well as great grandchildren. During their lives together they traveled to many places as Arlene was the wife of an Army man and Forrest had served during WWII as well as in the Korean Conflict and had received a purple heart as a result of his injury during the war. Arlene and Forrest had lived in Texas at Fort Sam (where three of their children were born) and also had lived in Oklahoma (Fort Sill) before retiring from the Army and moving back to Palmyra, PA, where they lived for eleven years prior to moving to Utah. Prior to Arlene’s marriage she worked in various types of employment and also worked during the war years in a job, which was helpful to the military during WWII. She also worked for the Federal government doing several jobs while living in PA and later again worked for the Federal Government out in Utah where she retired. After her husband’s death she had moved to Las Vegas for a short stay and then moved to Tennessee to live with her youngest daughter, Jean Marie (Jackson), where she remained until her death. Besides her parents and husband, Arlene was preceded in death by one brother, Clarence Romberger, Jr. and his wife Betty, (PA) and her oldest sister, Shirley Dunkleberger (Texas). Arlene attended Grace Baptist Church in Johnson City, TN with her daughter until she was no longer able to attend. She was a member of the Kate Miller Sunday School Class. Survivors include all five of her children (3 sons and 2 daughters) and their families: son, Donald Lee and wife, Evey Decker, Palmyra, Pa, grandson, Michael and wife Kim Decker, Lancaster, PA, great grandchildren, Alex and Jessica Decker; daughter, Judith Ellen Decker, Seaside, Oregon son, Forrest L. Decker, Jr. Palmyra, Pa. Granddaughter, Michelle Decker and great grandson, Mark Decker, Grandson, Lance Decker and his wife in Utah; daughter, Jean Marie and Norman Rocky Jackson (with whom she lived prior to her death) of Limestone, TN; Granddaughter, Tammy L. and husband Dennis Ray Edwards with great grandchildren: Shelby Denise Edwards, Benjamin Ray Edwards and Bo Daniel Edwards; Grandson, Russell Allen Jackson and wife, Donna and great grandson, Anthony Robert Jackson (all of TN) and her youngest son, George Clarence Decker and wife Jan (Kent, Washington) and grandchildren: Alisa Decker (Chicago, Ill.), Jessica (Decker) Martin and husband Darrin and Eric Decker all of Kent, Washington. Other survivors include her brother, Harold J. Romberger and wife Marion, Annville, Pa. and their three children (nieces/nephews) Tracy and wife Lorraine and children, Tess/ (Todd) Acker and her two children and Julie and husband Todd Graby and their two children; her sister, Anna Romberger Rice and husband Frank of Missouri along with their three children Scott, Lalonie and Brian nieces, Sandy Deschamps and Nanette and husband Tom Brazell. A brother-in-law in Texas, Kenneth Dunkleberger (husband of late sister, Shirley) and nephew, Denny and wife Chi and their two sons; and daughter Nadine and husband Wayne Scruggs and their two children along with several great nieces and nephews. Graveside services will be held on Thursday at 11:00AM in Grandview Memorial Park 500 N. Weber St. Annville, PA 17003 where her husband, and parents are also buried. There will be no services in Tn. Funeral services were arranged by Morris-Baker Funeral Home in Johnson City, TN and Kreamer Funeral Home in Annville. There will be an hour viewing from 10-11AM prior to the graveside service at the Kreamer Funeral Home & Crematory 618 E. Main St. Annville, PA 17003. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association. PDF Printable Version

Arlene Decker

April 27, 1921 - October 9, 2010