Hayden T. De Decker, 83, of Geneseo died Tuesday, June 16, 2009 at the Geneseo Good Samaritan Village. A Funeral Mass celebrating his life will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, June 19 at St. Malachy’s Catholic Church, Geneseo. The Rev. Michael Pakula will celebrate. Cremation rites will be accorded following the services. Private inurnment will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Geneseo. Visitation was held Thursday, June 18 at Vandemore Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Geneseo. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials may be made to the Geneseo Historical Association, Geneseo Library or St. Malachy’s Catholic Church Building Fund.

He was born Jan. 26, 1926 in rural Annawan, the son of Eli and Lucy (DeSmith) De Decker. He was a 1943 graduate of Geneseo High School. He attended Augustana College, and St. Ambrose College. He was a 1950 graduate of Loyola College of Dental Surgery, where he was Salutatorian of his class. He married Aime Faith Potrafke Nov. 19, 1949 in Riverdale. He served his country in the U. S. Army Aire Force from 1944 to 1945. He was a private practice dentist in Geneseo for 37 years retiring in 1987. He was a member of St. Malachy’s Catholic Church, the church’s Holy Name Society, Rock Island District Dental Society, Delta Sigma Delta Dental Fraternity, where he was elected to the Blue Key Dental Fraternity, and the Quad City Archeological Society. He had been a member of the Geneseo Kiwanis Club for over 50 years and served as past president. He earned a private pilot’s license in 1954 and was a member of the A. O. P. A and Quad City Airmen’s Association. He was a Charter Member of Geneseo Airport in Geneseo. He also belonged to the Fretted Instruments Guild of America, Classical Mandolin Players Association of America, Izaak Walton League, was the first president of Geneseo Newcomer’s Club, and was a member in good standing of S. A. G. He was an income tax assistant at the library, worked with Boy Scouts as an assistant leader and formed Hayden Hikers Club. He was a life member of the Geneseo Historical Society and was a volunteer there.

Survivors include his wife, Aime Faith, daughter Nona C. De Decker Thornhill of Austin, Texas; two sons and spouse, Kevin De Decker of Hillsdale, and Patrick H. and Theresa De Decker of Batavia; four granddaughters, Elizabeth Aime De Decker, Lauren Carmody De Decker, Carley Christine Thornhill, Leah Brianne Thornhill; and two nephews Lynn and Mark De Decker. He was preceded in death by a son, Brian H. De Decker, M. D., and a brother, Marvin.