On Friday,
January 19, 2018 James Clifford Dekker, 96, went to be with Jesus. Jim was a
self-made man, who built a successful business in Sheboygan, WI through
determination and hard work. After retiring in 1990, he split his time between
residences in Naples, Florida and Sheboygan.
Jim was born
October 15, 1921 in Sheboygan to Edward and Joanne (Cevaal) Dekker. He attended
Sheboygan Christian School and was a graduate of Sheboygan North High School,
Class of 1939.
Jim proudly
served his country during WWII as a member of the Army Air Corps. He was a B17 waist gunner, completing
thirteen missions over Germany.
Following his honorable discharge, Jim returned to Sheboygan where he
met and married Jean E. Marold on April 14, 1950.
After
working at the Kohler Company for two years, Jim started Dekker’s Furniture which
he and Jean operated for forty years. Jean and Jim spent winters in Naples
until Jean passed away on June 15, 2006.
Jim and Jean
enjoyed camping with their children and grandchildren in Door County, Wisconsin
for fifty years. Jim was especially proud
of tending to his well-manicured lawn and flower gardens. He also enjoyed golf, fishing, cards with
friends, and playing bocce ball on the beach.
Jim and Jean
traveled extensively, including several trips to Europe, Australia, Hawaii, and
the Holy Land. Jim was a life-long
member of Hope Reformed Church in Sheboygan, where he served as deacon and
elder.
He is
survived by his loving family: daughter, Sheree Dekker-Sanchez and husband,
Zeke of San Diego,CA; daughter Sandee Busse and husband, Jeff of West Bend, WI;
and son, Phil Dekker and partner, Carol Franke of Hernando, FL. Also survived by grandchildren, Erica Kack
and husband, Devin, Kaitlyn Espejo and husband, Tony and Justin Busse, plus
great-grandchildren, Bennett, Davis, and Sienna Kack. He is also survived by sister, Edythe Good of
Naples, FL; sister Carla (Curtis) Walser of Clearwater, FL; brother, Edward
(Jackie) Dekker of Naples, FL; sister-in-law, Carol Dekker of Sheboygan, WI;
and sister-in-law, Connie Welsch of Sheboygan, WI.
In addition
to his parents and wife, Jean, Jim was preceded in death by sisters, Doris and
her husband, Col. Earl Roth, Joan and her husband, Carroll Verhelst, Lois and
her husband, Martin Potter, and Janet and her husband, Chris Vande Guchte. Also preceded by brother, Robert Dekker and
brothers-in-law, Greg Good and Roland Welsch.
Jim is also
survived by a special person in his life, Shirley Hasenstein of Sheboygan.
Funeral
services will be held 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 27, 2018 at Hope Reformed
Church. Rev. William TeWinkle, Pastor,
will be the officiant. A time of
visitation and support will be held at the church from 10:00 a.m. until the
time of service. Entombment will take
place at Garden Terrace Mauseleum.
A memorial
fund has been established in his name for Avow Hospice, 1095 Whippoorwill Lane,
Naples, Florida 34105 and Hope Reformed Church, 612 Ontario Ave., Sheboygan, WI
53081.
To sign the
guestbook, please visit:
www.ballhornchapels.com
