Merle Theresa Decker King

Merle Theresa Decker King (89) passed away on February 13, 2018, under her family’s loving care. Merle was born in New Orleans, LA, March 3, 1928. In 1932, her parents, Emile and Lillian Decker moved to Chalmette, LA. There they reared their four children in a devoutly Catholic home. Merle attended Meraux Elementary School and graduated from Maumus High School (later known as Chalmette High School) in 1942. Since Chalmette was considered “the country,” her parents raised chickens and a cow and were generously provided produce by their dear friends, the Culotta family. As a stay at home mother, Merle nurtured her three children, and in 1966, returned to work as the secretary at Chalmette High School. At CHS, she made many dear friends and hosted the annual staff party at her home. Entertaining and organizing events were Merle’s passions. For many years, in November, Merle baked hundreds of cookies in preparation of her Christmas eggnog party. Her friends from Maumus were especially dear to Merle, and she helped organize the reunions, including the later yearly luncheons. In every conversation with her children, Merle would say “Count your blessings,” or “I’m so blessed.” Truly, we were all blessed by Merle’s presence in our lives.

Merle is preceded in death by her parents, Emile John Decker, Jr., and Lillian Kern Decker, and her brother, Emile John Decker, III.

Merle is survived by her loving and devoted husband of 21 years, Leonard Philip King; siblings, Wiley Joseph Decker (Mildred) and Lillian Decker Pellittieri (Salvatore), children, Decker Gerard Landry (Julie), Lynne Landry Ford (Joe), Karen Landry Bertel (James); grandchildren, Adrienne Landry Lay, Alice Landry Mace, Brad Joseph Ford (Georgina), Kristy Ford Dillingham (Brett), Ryan Gerard Ford (Kristine), Lauren Bertel DeFrates (Anthony), Michael James Bertel, Katherine Seelos Bertel (partner, Michael), and Renee Claire Bertel (fiance’, Sylvester); great grandchildren, August Lay, Zackary Lay, Anna Mace, Alexander Enzer, Wilder Dillingham, Landry Dillingham, Mason Ford, Reid Ford, Mallory Ford, Zachary DeFrates, Aedan DeFrates, and Dylan DeFrates; stepchildren, Sidney Mulnick (Dave), Lenette Zulli (John), and Wayne King, Sr. (Pamela); step-grandchildren, Robert Mulnick Brown, Piper Mulnick Bogle, Erin Mulnick Benoit, Lisa King Lopez, Lori King Goll, Leni’ King Engel, and Wayne King, Jr.; and step-great grandchildren, Ricky Brown, Virginia Brown, Alyssa Brown, Brandon Bogle, Jaxon Benoit, Alexander Bordelon, Isabella Lopez, Pablo Lopez, Catherine Goll, Olivia Goll, Seth Goll, Jeffrey King, Elizabeth King, and Justin King.

A private viewing for the family will be held at ST. BERNARD CATHOLIC CHURCH, 2805 BAYOU ROAD, in St. Bernard,  on Tuesday, February 20, 2018, from 10:00 AM – 10:30 AM.  Relatives and friends are invited to join the visitation from 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM, with a Mass in Merle’s honor at 12:00 PM.  She will be laid to rest in St. Bernard Catholic Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Dementia Society of America at www.dementiasociety.org .

To sign and view the family guestbook, please visit www.stbernardmemorial.com.

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