Final Salute

Howard Andersen Decker, 74, of Collinsburg, died Friday, May 5, 2023. Born April 3, 1949, in McKeesport, he was the son of the late Fred and Gertrude (Andersen) Overfield. Howard was a CM1 USN Retired Seabee and Petty Officer with the Navy and honorably served his country for 20 years. While in active duty, Howard served in Vietnam. He was a retired mechanic with UPS New Stanton. He was a handyman and was able to make many things; actually, he could make anything in his wood shop and his tool shop! He also did plenty of work on cars and enjoyed hunting and fishing. He is survived by his wife, Leona “Lee” (Beaver) Decker; children, Howie (Bambie) Decker, of Norfolk, Va., Steven (Stephanie) Decker, of Efland, N.C., John (Erica) O’Connell, of Greensburg, and Kelly (Ron) Scherff, of Harrison City; grandchildren, Hayley (Michael) Howell, Kelsey (Svetlana) Decker, Eric (Jenna) Mertsch, Jamie Strangis, Johnny (Angel) O’Connell, Torri O’Connell, Clayton O’Connell, Devyn Scherff, Troy Decker and Kyle (Ashley) Decker; numerous great-grandchildren; and siblings, Daniel (Shelly) Decker, of Pierpont, Ohio. David Decker, of Wheaton, Ill., Paul Decker, of Medina, Ohio, Wilhelmina (Greg) Finlaw, of Kingsville, Ohio, Diane Wills, of Greensburg, Fred (Helen) Overfield, of Blairsville, Judie (Bob) Aker, of Meyersdale, and Jim (Kathy) Overfield, of Irwin. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his first wife, Carol (Coking) Decker. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Friday, July 28, 2023, at the National Cemetery of the Alleghenies, 1158 Morgan Road, Bridgeville, at which time military honors will be accorded. The family would appreciate if everyone attending the ceremony would wear the colors red, white and blue to honor our country; Howard would be honored! Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the JAMES C. STUMP FUNERAL HOME INC., 580 Circle Drive, Rostraver Township (724-929-7934). www.jamesstumpfuneralhome.com.