LYNDON, Kan. – Elton N. Decker, 86, passed away on Wednesday, May 15, 2019, at his home near Lyndon, Kan. He was born on Jan. 27, 1933, in Vermontville Township, Michigan, the son of Ard and Ina Hamilton Decker.

Elton grew up in Michigan and had lived in Haven, Kan., before moving to rural Lyndon in 1967. Elton served four years in the United States Air Force after high school. He then served in the Kansas Air National Guard at Forbes Field in Topeka until his retirement in 1993 at the rank of Chief Master Sergeant. He was a bus driver for the Lyndon school district for 17 years. He was one of the initial organizers of the Osage County Recycling Center.

Elton was a member of American Legion Post No. 125, Lyndon, the National Guard Chiefs Group, life member of the Kansas Air National Guard Museum, National Association of Retired Federal Employees, member of the Sunflower Steppers, Osage Oranges Camping Group, Kansas Bluegrass Association, Kansas Honey Producers, the Northeast Kansas Bee Keepers Association, volunteer for the Red Cross, and served on the Vassar Water Board.

On Nov. 25, 1954, Elton married Cherie Gennett, in Clay Center, Kan. Cherie preceded him in death on June 11, 2010. Elton married Mickey Brewer in 2013.

Elton was also preceded in death by his parents, Ard and Ina; and his stepmother, Iza Decker.

Elton is survived by his four children, Terry Herdlicka, of Humble, Texas, Danny Decker and Andrew Decker, both of Lyndon, and Dana McNabb of San Diego, Calif.; brother, Larry Decker, Nashville, Mich.; and eight grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Friday, May 24, at the Feltner Funeral Chapel, Lyndon. Burial will be in the Vassar Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10 a.m. until service time.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Kansas National Guard Museum or to Lyndon High School for the Honor Flight Program, sent in care of Feltner Funeral Home, 818 Topeka Ave., Lyndon, KS 66451.