John Irvin Deckard Jr.

John Irvin Deckard Jr. was called home by his blessed Savior on December 22, 2005. He was born on September 3, 1920 in Duncannon, PA, the son of Fanny Bertha and John I. Deckard Sr. He is predeceased by his son, John (Jack) Irvin Deckard III, and a sister-in-law, Clara Houskamp (John). He is survived by his beloved wife of 56 years, Anne DeBoer Deckard of Grand Rapids; his daughter, Anne Lenore Hiskes; son-in-law Richard P. Hiskes and grandson, Benjamin John Hiskes of Storrs, CT. He also leaves behind his cherished sisters-in-law, Jessica Kuizema (Harold) and Julia Veltman (Russ), Irene Kwantes (Ken) and Dorothy Sheler (Dale). John served the Lord faithfully throughout his life, most recently as an Elder at John Knox Presbyterian Church. He served his country as a member of the Navy in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans during WWII. John retired from General Motors in 1985 after a distinguished career as an aeronautical and automotive engineer. In 1986 John was awarded the General Motors Kettering Award in honor of his many important patents. The family expresses its special gratitude to Stephen Minister Bob Brooks, and Pastors Rev. Dr. David Gilbert and Rev. Nancy Clodfelder of John Knox Presbyterian Church, and to the staff of the ACE Unit of Blodgett Hospital. Visiting hours are Monday December 26, 10 AM to 12 PM at John Knox Presbyterian Church, 4150 Kalamazoo Ave., Grand Rapids, MI, followed by a memorial service at noon. A luncheon will be served after the service at John Knox Presbyterian Church. Private internment on Tuesday December 27 at Grandville Cemetery. Contributions in lieu of flowers should be sent to the John Knox Presbyterian Church Food Pantry.