Columbus, OH — Robert “Papa Deck” Decker, 86, of Atwater, Ill., died Aug. 12, 2023, at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield, Ill.

Mr. Decker was born on May 4, 1937, to Dan and Laura (Smith) Decker-Rockhold in Wilmington, Ill. He married Margaret Crouch on Oct. 27, 1961, at the Atwater Christian Church.

He started doing what he loved in 1958, training and driving Standardbreds. He owned and operated Decker Racing Stables in Atwater. His horses held numerous track records at many county fairs over his lifetime.

He was a member of the Illinois Harness Horsemen’s Association and the USTA.

Mr. Decker is survived by his wife of 61 years, Margaret; daughters, Dianna (Roger Waddell) Winlund and Jodi (Matt) Bennett; son, Wayne; grandsons, Ben (Melissa) Rodriguez, Tommy (Julie) Winlund, Kenneth Winlund, Addison, Dylan Bennett, and Landon Cox; granddaughters, Shelbye (Dustin Underwood), Brittaney (Tony McCauley), Mikel (Andrew Cooper), and Lissa Bennett; great-grandsons, Alex Rodriguez and Robert Underwood; great-granddaughters, Micaela Rodriguez and Hazel Cooper.

In addition to his biological children, he had the honor of being “Dad” to many others, including Lee “Suds” Rodgers, Vicky Bregen, the late Keith Waddell, and Mike “Mikey” Rodgers.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dan and Laura Decker-Rockhold; son, Tom; son-in-law, Robert Winlund; and nine brothers and sisters.

He wished for no funeral services and the family will respect those wishes. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the Decker family, Emmanuel Baptist Church in Carlinville, or Macoupin County Fair.

Davis-Anderson Funeral Home in Carlinville is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences can be given at www.davisandersonfuneralhome.com.