John Douglas Dekker, 80, of Lyons NE

JOHN DOUGLAS DEKKER was born to Fred and Helen (Gaass) Dekker August 16, 1934 in Pella, IA.  He passed away April 29, 2015 at St. Francis Memorial Hospital in West Point, NE after a long battle with Parkinson’s Disease.

John attended grade school in Pella and then the family moved to Bellevue, NE in August of 1942 because his Dad accepted a job in the bomber plant where they built the B-29’s.  He graduated from Bellevue High School in 1954.

On December 30, 1957 John was united in marriage to Marjorie (Jeri) Ann Butts.  In January 1958 the couple moved to San Antonio, TX where John served in the US Army at Fort Sam Houston.  John and Jeri moved back to Bellevue in 1959 where John worked for Western Electric.  In 1968 they made their long time home in Lyons, NE where John worked as a communications technician for AT&T until he retired in 1995.  John moved to Oakland Heights Nursing Home in July, 2014.

John was an avid photographer, having a dark room in their home in Bellevue.  Many people fondly remember him with his camera everywhere he went.   He loved computers and technology and assisted many friends and relatives with their computer needs.

John volunteered with various organizations in Lyons and the surrounding area including the Lyons Little League Baseball program, the Jaycees, Lyons Community Foundation Board, St. Joseph’s Retirement Community Foundation Board, and the United Memorial Methodist Church in Lyons.  He played an integral role in the building of the Lyons Public Library as well as serving on their Board for many years.  John and Jeri were awarded the Aksarben Good Neighbor of the Year Award.

John enjoyed spending time with family and friends but most of all loved watching (and taking photos of) his children and grandchildren in their various sporting events and activities.

John was preceded in death by his parents; parents-in-law, Bill and Eva Butts; brothers, Robert Dekker and Dave Dekker; his sister, Vera Jane Johansen; and sister-in-law, Mary Ellen Valenziano.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Jeri of Lyons, sons and daughters-in-law Doug and Cherie Dekker of Norfolk, NE, Mark and Shawn Dekker of Centerville, IA; daughter and son-in-law Jane and Steve Weiler of West Point, NE; nine grandchildren and spouses/special friends, Joseph Dekker and Tressa Danze, Christopher and Mallory Dekker, Michael Dekker and Tarassa Swedberg, Jennifer Dekker, Kate and Luke Stamp, Zachary and Lisa Weiler, Jenica and John Dietrich, Kara and Josh Perchal and Anna Weiler;  four great grandchildren, Gracie Stamp, Brayton Dietrich and Shelby & Presley Perchal;  sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Floyd Johansen, Delores Dekker, Nancy Dekker, Joel Valenziano, Steve and Gloria Butts, Richard and Barbara Butts, Lucia and Louie Martinez, James and Liz Butts, Jean and Charles Heider, Bill and Lisa Butts and Ted and Jody Butts; many nieces, nephews and friends.

FUNERAL SERVICE: Saturday, May 2, 2015, 10:30 am at Memorial United Methodist Church in Lyons.

VISITATION: Friday, 5-7 pm with family receiving friends and a 7 pm prayer service all at Pelan Funeral Services in Lyons. Visitation will also be held at the church one hour prior to service.

BURIAL: Saturday, 1:30 pm, St. Micheal’s Cemetery, West Point, Nebraska

MEMORIALS: To the family with memorials to be designated

Please feel free to send your condolences to the family.
Each condolence will be printed and given to the family after the service.

pelan@pelanfuneralservices.com

John Dekker