Jane M. Decker

Bishop Herbert Welch Meritorious Teaching Award (1988)

Obituary

Ohio Wesleyan University Professor Jane (McLaughlin) Decker, 53, of 4751 Stover Road, Ostrander, died Saturday (Nov. 5, 1988) at home, following a year’s illness with cancer.

She was born June 22, 1935, in Cleveland, and was a graduate of Shaker Heights High School. She received her A.B. degree from Mount Holyoke College, and M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in botany from Yale University. She was an instructor and then assistant professor at Ohio State University, from 1962 to 1968, and then associate professor at Ohio Wesleyan University, where she was named full professor in 1982.

Decker was former president of the Ohio Academy of Science, and was Allen Trimble Professor of Botany at Ohio Wesleyan University. She received the Bishop Herbert Welch Meritorious Teaching Award, Ohio Wesleyan University’s highest teaching award, at the 1988 commencement.

She was a member and past president of the board of trustees of the First Presbyterian Church.

Survivors include her husband, Henry F., two daughters, Susan Jeanne, and Emily Anne; a son Douglas, who is twin to Emily Anne; her mother, Jeanne McLaughlin of Shaker Heights; and a brother, Robert J. McLaughlin of Weston, Mass.

A son, Daniel, died in 1972, and her father, Harold McLaughlin also Preceded her in death.

Calling hours will be Tuesday, from 2 to 3 p.m., at the First Presbyterian Church, where services will be held at 3 p.m., with the Rev. Paul Randall officiating.

Private burial will follow in Millcreek Cemetery, Concord Township.

The family suggests contributions to the Jane Decker Arboretum, in care of Ohio Wesleyan University, Delaware.

Robinson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.