Charter Member of Council 6710, Past Grand Knight, Past Faithful Navigator, Past District Deputy, Scout Master, all around Knight of Columbus, Wayne Decker died on May 21 at his home. Our prayers go to Wayne and his Family. The funeral Mass was held at St. Irene’s May 27. The Mass was presided by Fr. Clive. Fr. Jim delivered the sermon. Internment was at Queen of Heaven, Hillside, IL.
Obituary & Tribute by Sandy Decker: Wayne, 82, has been a resident of Warrenville for 53 years. He was very active with St. Irene Parish. He worked for Illinois Bell Telephone for 35 years until he retired. He enjoyed gardening, collecting Beanie Babies, statue horses, coins, antique cars, bells, and keys. His accomplishments were as follows:
St Irene Council #6710, Sir Knight Wayne was a Chapter member of the Bishop Roger Kaffer Major Degree Team, Dr Thomas A Dooley
· #309 4th Degree Assembly
· Cub Master Pack #514, Scout Master Troup #514
· KC Scout Rep #6710, Past Grand Knight #6710 (PGK), Past Council Director #6710, Past Grand Knight #6710 (PGK), Current Warden #6710, Charter Member of #6710
· Joliet Diocese Chapter Past-President
· Dr. Thomas Dooley Assembly #309 Past Commander, Past Faithful Navigator, Degree Team member of Bishop Roger Kaffer of the Joliet Diocese
· Former State District Deputy, Past State Color Guard Co-Chairman, State Basketball Free Throw Chairman, State Medallion Awarded, Staff of ‘Special Camps’ 1996 to 2008 in charge of boating, Staff of M.H. Easter and Christmas Parties 20 years
· Usher St. Irene Catholic Church (45 years), and Past Eucharistic Minister
· Wayne was on the 4th of July committee for a few years.
Wayne is survived by his beloved wife Sandra Decker; Daughter, Connie (Gary) Dyas; Son, Robert Decker; Daughter, Virginia (Steve) Paul; Grandson, Nicholas James (Megan) Webb, Granddaughter, Michele (David) Mueller; Granddaughter, Rebecca Paul; Great Grandchildren, Brody Simmons, Caitlyn Webb, Scarlett & Lavinia Mueller; Sister, Margaret (Mike) Neuzil. He is preceded in death by his parents Kenneth and Margaret Decker and daughter-in law, Deborah Decker.
Tribute by Reed Callahan: Wayne was my best friend for 55 years. He was a Scout Master for my kids and dedicated many years serving as the St. Irene’s Knights go between the Boy Scouts and 6710.
He was a Charter Member of our Council, and served Special Camps from 1996 to 2008 in charge of the canoeing and more with Sandy in charge of or working the crafts. He and Sandy also helped at every camp Christmas and Easter parties from the 1st to the most recent.
Your council and other KC members should know Wayne for what he meant to and did for the Knights of Columbus – both 6710 and the State, Chapter and 4th degree. Wayne was a vociferous but unspoken hero, ring in the ranks to fill positions no-one else wanted and carrying out the duties most others avoided but were needed.
Wayne worked tirelessly on every “Tootsie roll drive”, was 6710s GK (1978-1980), represented the scouts and vice versa with 6710, He did some of that before many of our knights were borne. He should be made an example to them and to other people that say: “What do the K Cs do?” Sandy was always wonderful about letting Wayne do what he felt needed to be done.
Wayne and another of our knights “Augie” Augustynovic, dug the hole in front of St. Irenes and planted the flag pole. Wayne and I dug the foundation for the K.C. Pro-Life statue in front of the old church. It was all river bedrock.
Out of order but still items showing Wayne’s dedication to the Knights:
· CUBS MASTER TROUP 514
· KC SCOUT REPRESENTATIVE <TO AND FROM > 6710
· THOMAS DOOLEY PAST COMMANDER
· STATE BASKETBALL FREE THROW CHAIRMAN FOR SEVERAL YEARS
· PAST GRAND KNIGHT (PGK)
· PAST FAITHFUL NAVIGATOR PFN)
· FORMER DISTRICT DEP (FDD)
· AWARDED STATE MEDALION
· CURRENT WARDEN 6710
· DEGREE TEAM MEMBER OF BISHOP ROGER KAFFER TEAM
· 4TH DEGREE COMMANDER
· STAFF OF ‘SPECIAL CAMPS’ 1996 TO 2008 IN CHARGE OF BOATING
· STAFF OF M.H. (OR I.D).EASTER AND CHRISTMAS PARTIES 20 YEARS
· JOLIET CHAPTER PRESIDENT
· CHARTER MEMBER OF 6710
· USHER ST. IRENE CATHOLIC CHURCH FOR 12 OR MORE YEARS
Tribute by James Halama: State and Joliet Chapter recognition awards
· Victor Cardosi Award by Joliet Chapter, 1995
· Wayne and Sandy Decker Illinois State Council Family of the Year, 2001
· Wayne Decker Senior Knight of the Year, 2002
Wayne and Sandy befriended us early after joining the St. Irene Parish in 1987. We have always cherished Wayne’s friendliness and generosity. In the nomination for Illinois State Family of the year my Alta wrote “ Wayne and Sandy are always ready to help; it’s like they are up at 6:00 AM waiting for your call”.
Wayne you will be missed!