Marilyn A. (VandeVoorde) DeDecker

Marilyn A. DeDecker, 91, of Atkinson, IL, passed away on October 27, 2023, at Hammond Henry Long-Term Care-Geneseo. Visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. on Friday, November 3, 2023, at Vandemore Funeral Homes & Crematory - Atkinson Chapel. Recitation of the Rosary will be held at 9:45 a.m., prior to the visitation. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, November 3, 2023, at St. Anthony Catholic Church, in Atkinson, with Reverend S. Stephen Engelbrecht celebrating. Marilyn will be laid to rest at St. Anthony Catholic Cemetery - Atkinson. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made, in her honor, to St. Anthony Catholic Church or Rebuilding Together - Atkinson (rebuildingtogether-hc.org). 

Marilyn was born on April 26, 1932, the daughter of Frank and Elizabeth (Bonte) VandeVoorde, in Atkinson, IL. She graduated from Atkinson High School, class of 1950. Marilyn was united in marriage to Richard “Dick” DeDecker on August 30, 1952, in Atkinson. He preceded her in death in March 2016. She was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church, Altar and Rosary Society, Circle One, and the Atkinson Women’s Organization. Over the years she was employed at John Deere, the Naval Air Station in Norfolk, VA, Atkinson Trust and Savings Bank, Guzzardo’s and Four Seasons - Geneseo. Marilyn was a member of many card clubs, enjoyed eating out with friends, and traveling. She was an avid reader, liked to solve puzzles, and was a sports fan - especially the Chicago Cubs and Atkinson Athletics. Most of all, she loved family gatherings and being with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Those left to cherish her memory include her children; Mark (Kathy) DeDecker of Washington, IL, Craig (Sue) DeDecker of Geneseo, Neal (Maureen) DeDecker of Champaign, IL, Ann (Cameron) Ator of Lake St. Louis, MO; ten grandchildren, Beth (Chad) Edwards, Amy (Dave) Ehnle, Kara DeDecker, Kyle (Lindsey) DeDecker, Lauren (Chris) Kirkham, Keith (Becky) DeDecker, Sean (Laura) DeDecker, Collin (Jennifer) DeDecker, Ashley (Scott) Binz and Amber (Judson Grimshaw) Ator; thirteen great grandchildren, Bobby, Emma, Brenna, Connor, Walker, Bronson, Weston, Calvin, Nolan, Bennett, Logan, Timothy and Jace.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Elizabeth VandeVoorde; her loving husband, Richard DeDecker; and three sisters, Helen DePaepe, Bernice Vandersnick and Frances Swanson.