Robert "Bob" D. Decker

ROBERT D. “BOB” DECKER, 85, passed away on Thursday, July 10, 2025 at his home in Chester, Illinois with his loving wife Rosa and several of his family members by his side. Bob fought a valiant fight against cancer. As his family mourns their loss, they find great comfort knowing he is resting in eternal peace with our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

Bob was born in Chester, Illinois on May 26, 1940 to William "Bill" and Sarah (nee Herschbach) Decker. He was a lifetime member of St. John Lutheran Church in Chester and a proud member of Chester High School Class of 1959. He was blessed to share the past 38 years with his wife Rosa in the home he dearly loved. They were married on July 10, 1987 in Chester, Illinois.

Those who knew Bob knew he was a hard worker. As a volunteer, at work and at his home, he always kept busy. Many who traveled Route 3 outside of Chester have seen him countless times mowing and tending the property he took great pride in. He worked as a laborer for several years before going to work for the City of Chester in 1986. His first position with the City was at the Sewer Department and then with the Street Department. He was appointed as the Superintendent of the Street Department in 1999 and retired in 2006. He served multiple terms on the Board of Trustees at St. John Lutheran Church and has been a devoted member of the Church’s Cemetery Committee for many years. Bob served on the Cohen House, Welcome Center and Stone Cottage Committees. He also volunteered at various local organizations over the years. In 2019, he was named Chester Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year.

Bob loved spending time with his family. He will be greatly missed by his daughters -

Tammy (Ron) Grah of Chester, Illinois, and Jenni (Richie) Pippin of St. Mary, Missouri, son-in-law David Jany of Chester, Illinois, and stepson Jim (Rhonda) Dunning of Chester, Illinois.

His grandchildren and great-children loved their "Papa Bob" and treasured the time they spent with him. His grandchildren are Travis (Amanda) Grah, Nicole (Tony) West, Brooke (Brian) Reynolds, Mandy (Derek) Crum, Staci (Matt) Roth, Aaron (Carla) Grah, Clayton Morrison, Cassidy Morrison, Taylor (fiance Austin Jisa) Dunning, and Evan Dunning. His great grandchildren are William and Haley Grah, Jadyn West, Brielle and Brinley Reynolds, Jackson and Parker Crum, AJ and Peyton Roth, and Grayson, Hudson, and Aspen Grah. He is also survived by his niece Becka (Eric) Rahlfs, brothers and sisters-in-law Carl and Merry Johnson, Kenny and Krista Johnson, Virginia and Jerry Cramer, David Johnson, Margaret and Jeff Morris.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Jerry Decker, his daughter Vicki Jany, by his mother-in-law and father-in-law Dorothy and Arnie Johnson and brothers-in-law Arnie Jr. and Pete.

Memorial Service: 

   11:00 am, Monday, July 14, 2025

   St. John Lutheran Church, Chester, Illinois

Officiating: 

   Rev. Timothy Sims

Inurnment: 

   St. John Lutheran Cemetery

   Chester, Illinois

Visitation: 

   Monday – 9:00 am – 11:00 am

   St. John Lutheran Church, Chester, Illinois

In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to:

   St. John Lutheran Church

   St. John Cemetery

   Vitas Healthcare