Adolph "Emo" Decker, 92

</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Adolph "Emo" Decker of Carlisle passed away peacefully at home on Wednesday, December 9, 2009 at the age of 92. Adolph, who is better known as Emo, lived an active life until July of this year when his health started to limit his abilities. His family is thankful for the many lively years he shared with them.

Adolph was born on May 13, 1917 in Chester, IL, and was one of 11 children of the late Frank and Maria Decker. He served on the Randolph County school board in Chester where he worked to get the first school buses in the county. It was also in Chester that he wed his wife, Mildred Moore, in 1946. He worked for the International Shoe Co which took them to live in several small towns in Illinois and Missouri where their two daughters were born. In 1960, Emo and Millie decided to be even more adventurous and moved their family to Carlisle where Emo had accepted a management position with Kinney Shoe Corporation. He worked there until his retirement in 1983.

In an age before TV and video games, Emo's mother encouraged her kids to play cards to keep them occupied at home. Emo continued to enjoy card games throughout his life, playing bridge and pinochle in several clubs in Carlisle and countless hours at home with his family.

Emo also enjoyed sports. One year in high school, he and three of his brothers played on the same football team. As a young man, he played on several local softball and bowling leagues, bowling a "299" in one tournament. Later in life, he focused on his golf game. He was a lifelong fan of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team and tended to root for the underdog at other times. He also enjoyed dancing with his wife, especially the polka, and traveling with her in his retirement.

The Calvary Lutheran Church in Mechanicsburg was his spiritual home where he enjoyed ushering and helping with the annual apple butter festival. He was also a member of the Elks and a volunteer for the Union Fire Company in Carlisle.

Like many people who grew up in the depression, he instilled a strong work ethic and sensibility in his children and grandchildren. However, he also had a quick wit and a great sense of humor. He was a gentle man, who enjoyed sharing stories and jokes with people from all walks of life and gently teasing his closest friends.

Emo is survived by his wife Mildred of Carlisle, his sister Velma Potter of Texas, his daughter Phyllis and her husband Richard Lindsay of Carlisle, his daughter Susan and her husband Art Jaso of Maryland, his grandson Marc Lindsay and his wife Jennifer of Carlisle, his granddaughter Danielle Beish and her husband Richard of Carlisle, and his grandson Garrett Jaso of Maryland. There are also three great grandchildren, Connor and Abigail Lindsay and Corbin Beish.

His family would like to thank all of his friends for the support over the years and especially in recent months.

A memorial service was held at Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church, Mechanicsburg, on Saturday, December 12 2009.

Hoffman-Roth Funeral Home and Crematory, 219 N. Hanover St., Carlisle handled the arrangements.

Memorial donations can be made to the Calvary Evangelical Lutheran Church, 208 Woods Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA 17050

To sign the guest book visit www.hoffmanroth.com.