Eddie Paul Deck, 97, passed away peacefully at home on Dec. 10, 2024. His daughter, Sharon, was by his side.
Ed was born in New Market on Nov. 16, 1927, to Marion Deck and Hallie (Turner) Deck.
Ed and his wife of 71 years, Wilma, moved to Washington state with their three children in 1961. It was a huge leap of faith as they travelled across the country with their children and everything they owned to start a new life in the northwest. It was a considerable challenge but ultimately they loved their new home.
Ed really had three careers. He learned the printing trade right out of high school at RR Donnelly company in Crawfordsville. He became a journeyman printer there and worked 15 years. After moving to Washington, he worked at Bank Check Supply company in Centralia, Washington, as a linotype machine operator and manager. He was with Bank Check Supply for another 15 years. While there he became a volunteer fireman with the Fords Prairie Fire Department. He loved the fire department and as it grew and he became more involved, he became the assistant chief there, leaving the printing business. He retired from the fire department after another 15 years.
Ed and Wilma were married in 1951. They had three children. They were a great team. Ed loved farming on their three acre property. They raised cows, chickens and a variety of other animals. Each year they planted a huge vegetable garden which Ed took great pride in.
He loved the outdoors. He was an avid fisherman and almost always owned a boat. He caught a lot of steelhead in the rivers of Washington state. He and Wilma angled for trout in the lakes. They fished from their boat in the saltwater for salmon and rockfish. Their favorite experiences were on the Columbia River, catching sturgeon and Ed was boastful about what a good fisher Wilma was.
Ed also spent many hours in his woodworking shop. He especially enjoyed cutting wood with his scroll saw. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of Ed Deck crafted Christmas Tree ornaments in existence!
Eventually, after a long retirement and countless fond memories, Ed and Wilma moved away from their beloved three acres when health issues made it impractical to continue to keep up with the property. They resided at Chehalis West, an assisted living facility in Chehalis, Washington. Wilma passed away in May of 2023. The wonderful staff at Chehalis West, who helped make their lives pleasurable were invaluable to Ed after Wilma passed. He never tired of teasing the people there and he felt the love that they showed.
Ed is survived by his children, Sharon Hamilton and her husband, Jay, of Chehalis; Stan Deck and his wife Laura, of Fox Island, Washington; and Dwayne Deck and his wife Karen, of Sulfur Springs, Texas; 8 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren (more on the way). He also leaves behind a sister, Madonna Frazier, of Salkum, Washington, and brothers Fred Deck, of Crawfordsville, Indiana and Jack Deck, of Waynestown, Indiana.
A graveside memorial, celebrating both Ed and Wilma, will take place at 11 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025, at Mountain View Cemetery, 1113 Caveness Drive, Centralia, WA 98531. Following the memorial, you are invited to join others to visit and enjoy light refreshments at a nearby venue (a map and address will be provided).