Walter E. "Ned" Decker, 78, of 14 Windsor Avenue died Friday at home. Born on June 27, 1936 in Pittsfield, he was the son of the late Walter and Ruby Krum Decker. A longtime Pittsfield resident, he was educated in Dalton schools and was a 1954 graduate of the former Dalton High School. He also attended the former North Adams State College. Ned proudly served his country in the United States Army during the Korean War. He was employed for over 35 years at Crane & Company in Dalton as an Instrumentation Engineer. He retired in 1998. He was a communicant of St. Joseph Church and a past parish council member at the former Notre Dame Church. He was also a member of the Benjamin F. Sullivan American Legion Post #155 in Dalton, a member of TAPPI and a senior member of the Instrument Society of America. An avid golfer, he also was a past member of the GEAA Golf Club and the Wahconah Country Club in Dalton. Ned also served as a coach and umpire in the Pittsfield Youth Baseball League for many years. He enjoyed golfing and bowling but his greatest joy was spending time with his grandchildren. He leaves his wife, the former Regina L. Archey whom he married on August 1, 1964 at the former Notre Dame Church. Four daughters; Karen R. Kellar and her husband Edward "Ted" Kellar of Cheshire, Ellen M. Farley and her husband Daniel of East Greenbush, NY, Elizabeth A. Eberth and her husband Mark of Pittsfield and Jennifer L. Parsons and her husband Robert of Pittsfield. A son; Stephen M. Decker and his wife Victoria of Exton, PA. He also leaves his sister; Barbara Wilson and her husband Bob of Ocala, FL. Fourteen grandchildren; Nicholas Kellar, Katherine Kellar, Emily Farley, Carolyn Farley, Meghan Farley, Daniel Farley Jr., Shannon Farley, Klaire Farley, Jacob Decker, Luke Decker, Abigail Decker, Alexander Parsons, Timothy Parsons and Jonathon Parsons as well as many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his brother, the late David Decker.


FUNERAL NOTICE: Funeral services for Walter E. "Ned" Decker, 78, of Pittsfield who died April 10, 2015 will be held Wednesday at 9:15 AM from the DERY FUNERAL HOME in Pittsfield followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM at St. Joseph Church celebrated by the Rev. Monsignor Michael Shershanovich, pastor. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. Calling hours will be held Tuesday from 4 to 7 PM at the funeral home. Memorial donations in memory of "Ned" may be made to Hospice Care in the Berkshires or to St. Joseph Church both in care of the funeral home, 54 Bradford St. Pittsfield, MA 01201.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Walter E. "Ned" Decker, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.