Russell G.

Decker 752nd

Russell G. Decker, age 88 of Parma, WWII Army Veteran, beloved husband and soul mate 54 years of the late Ruth E. (nee Askew); loving father of James (Sandy) and Janet Feckler (Thomas); dear grandfather of James, Moneka, Richard (Deanne), Jason, Jennifer, and Heather; great-grandfather of Austin, Haven, Donnie and Olivia; father-in-law of Richard Urich; uncle and friend of many. Russell was a man with a big heart who never knew a stranger. A family man who truly enjoyed being with his family. In a crowd, he was the life of the party. At home, work and church,he always had a great sense of humor. Russell was an active, longtime, and faithful member of St. James Lutheran Church where he served on various committees and as an Elder and youth group counselor. He was very proud of his country, serving in the Army during World War II in the European Theatre of Operations with Company C, 752 Railway Operating Battalion. His battalion hauled freight, ammunition, gasoline, tanks, guns, engineer construction equipment, troop hospital cars, and food. Russell was decorated with two bronze stars and was a locomotive engineer operating Army locomotives from Le Harve, France to various locations in Germany. Russell's battalion #752 got together for a reunion every year for 50 years and he never missed one. He was also very active in the local chapter of the Cleveland Lutheran VFW. Russell was a chemical operator 30 years for the B.F. Goodrich Chemical Company in Avon. He passed away on Sunday, August 15, 2010. Memorial contributions may be forwarded to St. James Lutheran Church, 4771 Broadview Rd., Cleveland, OH 44109. Funeral Service at St. James Lutheran Church, 4771 Broadview Rd., Cleveland on Wednesday, August 18, 2010 at 10 a.m. Interment at Sunset Memorial Park, North Olmsted. Friends may call at the BUSCH FUNERAL HOME, 7501 RIDGE RD., PARMA FROM 2-4 AND 6-8 P.M. ON TUESDAY. 440-842-7800