Andrew S. "Sonny" Decker

Andrew “Sonny” S. Decker, age 76, of Lopez, PA well known Dushore Barber, passed away on Wednesday, April 22, 2015 at the Robert Packer Hospital in Sayre, PA “Sonny” was born January 24, 1939 in New Albany, PA to the late Andrew & Julia Patrician Decker. He graduated from the Turnpike High School a member of the class of 1957. He worked for a short time at the former Weldon Mfg. Co. in Lopez, and was drafted in the US Army in 1963 during the Vietnam War. He served Fort Sam Houston, TX where he worked in the Hospital Medical Laboratory, and was discharged in 1965. He graduated from the City Barber Institute in Wilkes-Barre and then completed his internship as an apprentice for Guy Miller, in Benton, PA In May of 1968 he started his own business in the former Green Swan Block at the red light in Dushore, by taking over the shop that was previously run by Core Kelly and Tony Zangara. After the building was razed in 1999 he moved to his present Shop next to Peoples State Bank. He was quoted in an article that he was the only male barber in Sullivan County. He was widely known and cut hair for the very young to the very old and also on occasion did house calls for the infirmed. Another quote from a customer was that “We have solved quite a few problems while waiting or sitting in the chair.” He was an icon of the quiet simple life that is synonymous with Sullivan County. Sonny had a love of nature since he was a child which continued throughout his life. He would constantly comment on the beauty of God’s creation. He maintained a magnificent flower garden at his home and also at his shop. Sonny was a very active member of SS Peter & Paul’s Byzantine Catholic Church in Lopez, PA where he was the treasurer and a member of St. Basil’s Church in Dushore, PA He was also a member of McDermott Post #452 American Legion in Mildred, PA Surviving: Brother and sister -in-law: Robert & Donna Decker Levittown, PA Two sisters and brother-in-law: Sister Janet Decker O.S.B.M. Uniontown, PA Elaine & Gerald Gehman Sellersville, PA And three nieces: Lisa Decker, Lori Gehman and Vanessa Gahman Cloud and one nephew Bobby Decker and two grand nieces Juliet Cloud and Ally Decker and two grand nephews: Timmy Decker and Ryan Decker all of which he was very proud. Friends may call on Tuesday morning from 9:30 A.M. until the transferal service at the P. Dean Homer Funeral Home, 206 Water Street, Dushore, PA Funeral Services will be held on Tuesday, April 28, 2015 at 11:30 A.M. from the P. Dean Homer Funeral Home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 12:00 Noon at St. Basil’s Church, Dushore, PA with the Rev. Richard Rojas, his pastor, presiding. Interment will be in SS. Peter & Paul’s Byzantine Catholic Cemetery, Lopez, PA The family will provide the flowers and ask that memorial contributions be sent to Sisters of St. Basil, PO Box 878, Uniontown, PA 15401 Graveside Military Services will be accorded by members of McDermott Post #452 American Legion, Mildred, PA To send condolences or sign the e-guestbook, please go to www.homerfuneralhome.com. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Andrew S. "Sonny" Decker, please visit our flower store.