James "Jim" M. Decker

James "Jim" M. Decker, age 87, of Topeka, KS, passed away on Thursday, August 4, 2022, at the Midland Hospice House.

Jim was born on a farm east of Burlington, Kansas to Jake and Catherine (Dempsey) Decker. He graduated from Burlington High School in 1952. He married Barbara Ann (Walker) February 19, 1954.

He became a member of St. Matthew’s Catholic Church in 1956 to present. He was active in ushering and other volunteer tasks associated with the church.

Throughout his adulthood, he was associated with coaching youth baseball, Boy Scouts of America Troop 18 in Tecumseh, KS, and the American Motorcycle Association. He raced/rode motorcycles for 40 years. He was an avid fisherman and hunter. He worked for DuPont, which later became known as Flexell Cellophane Company for 32 years, until he was forced into retirement due to disability in 1990.

He was preceded in death by his mother (1936), his father (1977), 3 brothers; Garland, Leo, Floyd, 2 sisters; Mary, Maxine, and 1 great grandson; Colten.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years; Barbara, 4 children; Cathy, Mike (Kathy), Patrick, John (Lisa); 6 grandchildren; Trudi (Shawn), Nyk (Tina), Tashina (Kyle), TJ, Jessica (Ty), Katlynn; 7 great grandchildren; Chance, Casi (Morgan), Kris, Calina, Cooper, Robbie, Riley; and 1 sister; Anna Laws of Union City, TN.

Visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 P.M., followed by a rosary at 7:00 P.M., on Monday, August 8, 2022, at Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 A.M., on Tuesday, August 9, 2022, at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 2700 SE Virginia Ave., Topeka, KS 66605. Burial will follow at Mt. Calvary Cemetery-Topeka.

Memorial contributions can be made in Jim's memory to St. Matthew Catholic Church / American Diabetes Association and/or Midland Hospice Care. Contributions can be mailed or left with the funeral home.

To share a memory or to leave condolences, please visit, www.brennanmathenafh.com.

Arrangements entrusted to Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home, 800 SW 6th Ave., Topeka, KS 66603.