Ruby Decker

Ruby N. Decker, 97, of Jackson passed away Wednesday, Jan. 18, 2017, at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau.

She was born Nov. 21, 1919, in Cora, Illinois, to Bryan and Nettie Bradley Grosvenor. She and George F. Decker were married Nov. 24, 1938. They briefly resided near Chester, Illinois, moving to Jackson in 1939. Five children were born to their union, and they had been married 51 years when George passed away April 1, 1990.

Ruby was a member of the American Legion Auxiliary in Jackson and a longtime member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson, where she was active in the Ladies Guild, choir and JOY Group.

In addition to being a devoted wife, mother, homemaker, fabulous cook and caregiver, Ruby was a successful Avon representative. For many years, she and George operated the former Decker News Agency in Jackson. The entire family helped deliver the daily editions of the St. Louis Globe and St. Louis Post-Dispatch newspapers in the Jackson area.

Ruby had an infectious smile and a special knack for brightening the lives of those around her. The past five years, she enjoyed making new friends while residing in Assisted Living East at the Lutheran Home in Cape Girardeau.

Loving survivors include four children, Larry (Diane) Decker and Lisa (Bob) Moses, both of Jackson, Martha (John) Freeze of Cape Girardeau and Steven "Steve" (Lorraine "Lori") Decker of Eureka, Missouri; 14 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and a sister, Bernice Ragsdale of Arnold, Maryland.

She was preceded in death by her husband and a son, Maj. Richard "Dick" Decker.

Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to service time Saturday at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson.

The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Joshua Schmidt officiating. A committal service will be at approximately 1:15 p.m. Saturday at Saint John's Evangelical Lutheran Cemetery in Chester.

If choosing to give a memorial, the family suggests the Radio Broadcast Fund of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson or Glenn Cemetery in Jackson County, Illinois.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.