Gail LaVern "Jack" Decker, 77, of 4 Werner Dr., Russell, died Friday, June 7, 2002, at his residence, following an extended illness.

He was born Sept. 1, 1924, in Warren, a son of LaVern and Jessie (Cornish) Decker.

Mr. Decker served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was a 1943 graduate of Sugar Grove High School.  He worked for the Warren County Soil Conservation Service, and from 1952-1986 was a school bus contractor for Farmington Township, then Northern Area Schools, and finally the Warren County School District.  In 1997, the Pennsylvania School Bus Association honored him and his family for 50 years of service to the school bus industry.

He served as a Boy Scout committee member and helped organize the Over-Thirty softball team in Lander, in which he played for several years.  He was also an avid bowler in several area leagues.

On Oct. 13, 1950, he married Frances Arlene Shaffer, who survives.

Also surviving are two sons, Shawn L. Decker of Evanston, Ill., Michael G. Decker of Russell; five grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by a sister, Marjorie Drake.

Friends may call from 6 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the Peterson-Blick Funeral Home, Inc. in Warren, where funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Monday with the Rev J. Mark Hurst, pastor of the Lander United Methodist Church, officiating.  Burial will be in Pine Grove Cemetery, Russell.

The family suggests memorials to the American Lung Association of Northwestern Pa., 352 W. 8th St., Erie, Pa. 16501, or Hospice of Warren County, 2 Crescent Park West, Warren, Pa. 16365.