Edward A. Dekker

DEKKER Edward A. Dekker, Sr., 81, died of complications from heart disease on August 21, 2010. He was predeceased by his loving wife, Patricia Lyng Dekker, whose birthday was also August 21. Ed and Pat have five children: Gail Dekker from St. Paul, MN, Marla Dekker from Brooklyn, NY, Ward Dekker from Riverside, CA, Stu Dekker from West Chester, OH, and Matt Dekker from Seattle, WA, and 12 grandchildren: Lindsey, Ben, Sarah, Christian, Collin, Zoe, Erik, Evan, Elektra, Jon, Wade, and Rebecca. Ed is survived by siblings Marian Timm, James Dekker, and Donna Dekker and is predeceased by his sister Lois Lawonn. Ed was born July 9, 1929 in Rhinelander, WI, the third of five children of Hazel Campbell Dekker and James W. Dekker, Jr. Ed graduated from Rhinelander High School and the University of Wisconsin, where he earned degrees in business administration and mechanical engineering. While serving as a second lieutenant in the Army Chemical Corps in Baltimore, MD, he met Pat, and they were married on September 12, 1953. Ed began his long-time employment with Procter & Gamble while in Baltimore and was transferred to Cincinnati in 1961. Ed was a 48-year resident of Glendale, Ohio and was active behind the scenes with the Princeton School District, especially to preserve the historic Glendale Elementary School that all his children attended. During his life, Ed was a tinkerer, auto aficionado, carpenter, plumber, and electrician. His training in his father’s service station and his engineering background made him the ultimate “do-it-yourselfer”. Private services will be held with a wake to be arranged. Ed’s ashes will be returned to the Chesapeake Bay as he and Pat had always wanted. Memorials, if desired, may be made to the Jewish Hospital, Cincinnati or Disabled American Veterans.