Francis Dedecker

Francis T. DeDecker, 91, of Sheffield died at his home on Friday, January 2, 2015.  Funeral mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan 6 ^th at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Sheffield.  Father Mark Miller will officiate.  Burial will be in St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Sheffield.  Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. on Monday at Stackhouse-Moore Funeral Services, Sheffield with a Christian wake service at 4:30 p.m.   Memorials may be made to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Sheffield.

Francis was born on April 19, 1923 in rural Annawan, IL the son of Julius and Elizabeth (DeRycke) DeDecker.  He graduated from Annawan High School and was married to Lucille Specht on Sept. 30, 1944 in Annawan. She died on May 29, 2011.  The couple farmed in the Manlius area until retiring and moving into Sheffield in 1984

Francis was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church Sheffield, Peter Hand Council Knights of Columbus and the Manlius Sportsman’s Club.  He had served on the Grain Board for the Bureau County F.S. for many years.  He loved fishing and hunting.

Survivors include his daughter Annette Clark, Peoria, IL; two sons, Allen (Cathy) DeDecker, St. Charles, MO and Dennis DeDecker, Moline, IL; three grandchildren, Jeff (Marti) Neahring, Kara (Eric) Monson, and Denny (Ann) DeDecker; three great grandchildren, Kelsie Neahring, Katie Neahring, and Mia Monson; and two sisters, Helen DeVrieze, Annawan and Bernadine Betcher, Annawan.  He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, daughter-in-law, Maribeth DeDecker, and two sisters, Delores Hartman and Elvera Taets.

Video tribute may be viewed and condolences expressed by visiting Francis’ obituary at www.stackhousemoore.com .