Niles S. Decker

After a long life, well lived, Niles S. Decker of Battle Creek went to be with his Lord and Savior on April 29th, 2018 at Calhoun County Medical Care Facility after a brief illness.

Niles was born on May 22, 1929 in Carbondale Pennsylvania, the son of Raymond Earl and Maybert (Silsby) Decker. He was united in marriage to Rosemary Kearns on February 7th, 1948 who survives him. They were blessed to celebrate 70 beautiful years together.

Niles was a 1948 graduate of North High School in Binghamton, New York and attended the University of Buffalo before his seven years of service in the US Naval Reserves. He was employed at the Kellogg Co. in the sales department. He worked over 25 years in various assignments throughout the country, with his last positions being vice president of sales, national sales manager and vice president of Neo Citrin Pharmaceutical. He was a member of the Kellogg 25 Year Club. He was an avid collector of antiques and was a master at woodworking and refinishing furniture. Niles was a member of Life in Christ Ministries. He shared his strong faith through his leadership in Promise Keepers and leading Life in Christ nursing home ministries for over 22 years and his team received the Volunteer of the Year Award from Michigan Center for Assisted Living.

Niles is also survived by his children Nilene (John) Oaster of Battle Creek, Sydonie (James) White of Round Rock, TX, Ramona (Mark) Provost of Augusta, Roslynd (Rex) Hollinger of Titusville, FL, Shivawn (Brian) O'Heran of Hillsdale and Niles J. of Battle Creek, twenty-one grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. A brother Raymond Decker also survives. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sisters, Lois and Doris and his loving mother-in-law, Jane Kearns.