Juanita Pearl Decker

Juanita Pearl Decker, 91, resident of Fort Scott, Kan., formerly of Hepler, Kan., died Thursday, Jan. 5, 2012, at Fort Scott Manor. She was born Sept. 24, 1920, in Fort Scott, Kan., the daughter of Allen Rhodes and Stella Pearl Young Rhodes. She graduated from Fort Scott High School in 1938. She married Robert Jack Decker on Aug. 2, 1939, in Nevada, Mo. He preceded her in death.

She worked for five years for Mercy Hospital in Fort Scott as a nurse's aide in the maternity ward. She then worked for Western Insurance Co. in the claims department. Juanita and husband Jack loved to travel the western states, especially Arizona. She greatly enjoyed crocheting. She was baptized in 1965 in the Community of Christ Church in Fort Scott. She more recently attended services at the Hiattville United Methodist Church.

Survivors include one son, Robert Lee Decker and wife, Sharon, Springfield, Mo.; three daughters, Diane Pearl Mellenbruch and husband, George, Fort Scott, Jacqueline Kay Deer and husband, Carroll, Fort Scott, and Gloria Jean Thompson and husband, Mel, Orrick, Mo.; one brother, Hubert Allen Rhodes, Fort Scott; and one sister, Marjorie Catherine Bailey, Fort Scott. Also surviving are 13 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by one brother, Wayne Rhodes; one grandson, Paul James Decker; and her parents.

Hospice Chaplain Jeff Owen will conduct graveside services at 12:30 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 10, in the U.S. National Cemetery, Fort Scott. The family will receive friends from 11:30 a.m. until leaving for the cemetery at 12:15 p.m. Memorials are suggested to either Community of Christ Church or Hiattville United Methodist Church and may be sent to Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, 201 S. Main, Fort Scott, KS 66701.

Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.