James H. Decker (fany further suggestions)??
Hi everybody,
I posted earlier about me trying to find out information about the family of my father biological father. The obituary posted below might be his wife with all my possible relatives listed, but I have hit a brick wall on how to research this further because of my inexperience in this field. Any suggestions would be great and I also thank everybody who has also helped me with this search.
Obituary below
SOWA - DECKER, Helen B. nee: Sowa
Age 77, of Elmira, New York, Tuesday, September 16, unexpectedly at home, passed peacefully into eternal rest to be with her beloved late husband, US Army Ret. James H. Decker and her late son, John Thomas Decker. Helen was born in Elmira, New York on April 23, 1931 to Felix and Antoinette Sowa. In addition to her husband and son; she is predeceased by her brothers, John, Amos and George Sowa; and sister, Anna Sullivan; also by brother-in-law, Elmer Decker; sisters-in-law, Dorothy Cole, Ella Shaw, Evelyn Brown, Leona Burgess and Marjorie Sowa. Helen is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Susan and Howard Henry of Elmira; sons and daughters-in-law, the late John Thomas and Linda Decker of Rochester, NY, James A. and Kathy Decker of Burlington, Kentucky, David H. and Karen Decker of Elmira, Timothy M. (Coach Deck) Decker with Cindy McWhorter of Pine City; grandchildren, Jennifer Decker, Kristin Dodson, Brian Decker, Heather Henry with Dave Rossman,
Sheena Henry (fiancé, Ron Green), Christopher Decker, and Brandon Decker; five great-grandchildren; one brother, Joseph Sowa; sisters, Mary Liberatore and Rose Guerrero; sisters-in-law, Arlene Sowa, Pauline Victor; several nieces, nephews and cousins; feathered friend, Winger. Helen will always be remembered for the love and care she gave her children while her husband served his country in the Korean and Vietnam wars and then caring for her beloved, Jimmy while he battled cancer prior to his death in 1998. Helen also adored her grandchildren. She loved a good visit with family, friends or neighbors, especially Sunday visits from her son, David, whose cooking she loved. Helen was a communicant of St. Casimir's Church. The family will receive relatives and friends at the Kalec Funeral Home on Friday, September 19, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. A Prayer service at the Funeral Home, Saturday, September 20, at 10:45 a.m. followed by her Mass of Christian Burial in
St. Casimir's Church at 11:30 a.m., Father Rick Farrell will be the celebrant, assisted by Deacon George Welch. At her request, Helen will then be laid to rest along with the ashes of the family dog, Griffey, with her late husband at the Woodlawn National Cemetery at the conclusion of Mass. Those wishing to make a donation in Helen's name to the Elmira Animal shelter or the SPCA (envelopes available at the Funeral Home).Published in the Star-Gazette on 9/18/2008