Janice "Jan" Decker

Janice “Jan” Decker, age 94, died on November 7, 2025 at Sunrise Senior Living Naperville North in Naperville, Illinois.

Born on April 5, 1931, in Sandwich, Illinois, to Harold and Emma (Sawyer) Bjelland, Jan grew up in Millbrook, Illinois. She graduated from Yorkville High School and went on to attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for one year. During that first year of college, she met her future husband, Jackson “Jack” Decker, who had returned from serving in the Army during World War II.

Jack and Jan were married on April 9, 1950 at Bethany Lutheran Church in Leland, Illinois, and began their married life in Dixon, Illinois where their sons, Marc and Eric, were born. They later settled in Oregon, Illinois, where they built homes and a life together until Jack’s passing in 2008. Jan remained in Oregon until 2023, when she moved to Naperville to be closer to her son Marc and wife Mary who live in Aurora, Illinois.

A devoted and faithful member of St. Bride’s Episcopal Church in Oregon, Jan and Jack were among the church’s founding members in 1959. Jan shared her musical gifts as pianist, organist and singer, serving for many years as the church organist. Her music was a joyful and cherished part of the church community. Jan was active in many social circles and remembered by many for her “beauty and class”.

Jan was admired for her grace, kindness, and genuine warmth. She had a remarkable sense of style and a gift for making others feel special. Her family fondly remembers her love of “cocktail hour”, faithfully observed at 5:00 p.m. with appetizers and her signature Perfect Manhattan – affectionately known as “rocket fuel”. She was also a master pie baker, known for her perfectly flaky crusts and delicious seasonal fillings that graced every family gathering.

She was deeply devoted to her family and took pride in remembering every birthday and anniversary. Jan’s presence brought joy, laughter, and love to those around her.

Jan was preceded in death by her parents; her beloved husband Jack; Jack’s parents, Roy and Ruth Decker; and her siblings Howard, Robert, and Andrew Bjelland, Eleanor Harms and Doris Rubenking.

She will always be loved and remembered by her sons, Marc (Mary) Decker of Aurora, Illinois, and Eric (Anne) Decker of Shipton-under-Wychwood, England; grandchildren Jenna (Kevin) Kelly of Ponte Vedra, Florida; Jordan (Jen) Decker of Winnetka, Illinois; and Grace (Damian) Holland of Witney, England; and great-grandchildren, Declan and Deirdre Kelly, Sophie and Hadley Decker, and Leo and Maia Holland. Jan also leaves behind eight nieces and nephews and countless friends who will forever cherish her memory.

The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the compassionate caregivers at Sunrise Senior Living Naperville North and the team from Residential Hospice for their loving care and support.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am on Friday, November 14, 2025 at St. Bride’s Episcopal Church, Oregon, Illinois with a brief visitation in the church foyer prior beginning at 10:00 until time of service. Father Eldred George will officiate the service. Farrell-Holland-Gale Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Bride’s Episcopal Church, PO Box 223, Oregon, IL 61061.

https://www.saintbrides.org/