After a long and courageous battle with lung cancer, Bruce went to his eternal home in heaven with Jesus on Monday, October 13, 2025, surrounded by family.
Born to Eugene and Virginia Deckard on July 25, 1954, he was the youngest son and welcomed home by brothers David and Ron.
Bruce graduated from LHS in 1972 and attended Vincennes University and Lockyear’s Business College earning a degree in Accounting.
He was known for his passionate and unwavering love of Cubs baseball, IU basketball, and Lincoln High School athletics. He loved coaching his son, Chad, in baseball and basketball. He played an integral role in building Veterans Field at the Vincennes Cub League. He later became a certified umpire and worked in games all over southern Indiana including high school and some college games, as well as league play where he was encouraging to the students and fair with his calls. He especially loved umpiring the Babe Ruth World Series. Bruce was an avid golfer and enjoyed playing at Cyprus Hills Country Club and participating in the senior’s league. The Vincennes Open was always one of his favorite tournaments which he won twice. He also enjoyed watching his daughter, Krisi, compete in tumbling meets and cheer at Vincennes Lincoln games.
The biggest highlights in his life were the day he married the love of his life, Cindy Wilson Deckard on 4/9/1976, the birth of his children and grandchildren, getting a hole in one on September 12th, 2024, as witnessed by his good friend Doug Stremming, and November 2, 2016 when the Cubs won the World Series. An annual fishing trip to the White River in Arkansas with his son and brothers, where they fished for rainbow and brown trout, was an adventure he looked forward to every year, and a tradition handed down from his parents.
Bruce had a career in insurance working as an agent for Farm Bureau Insurance for 27 years where he successfully earned many trips. He and Cindy enjoyed traveling to the Bahamas, Acapulco, Jamaica, Bermuda, Palm Springs, Arizona, Italy, Brazil and a Caribbean cruise. Bruce served a term as President of Life Underwriters. After retiring from insurance, he worked at the Southwest Indiana Youth Village where he was admired and known for his consistent enforcement of rules with the kids in his unit. Many of them, after leaving the Youth Village, contacted him thanking him for his fairness and the kindness shown to them.
Bruce was a member of St. John’s United Church of Christ where he served on the Church Board, Pastoral Search Committee, was a Kids Hope mentor and enjoyed working the sound board. He frequently commented on his love for his church family.
He was a devoted member of the Vincennes Elks Club. He served as
Exalted Ruler and Treasurer for many years. He also worked on the Scholarship Committee and was proud of the scholarships awarded to many students.
He is survived by his wife of 49 years, Cindy Wilson Deckard, son Chad Deckard (Gina), daughter Krisi Mattingly (Jeff), grandchildren Alivia, Sierra, Grant Deckard and Vera and Cameron Mattingly. His brothers Ron Deckard (Vickie), David Deckard (Janet) and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his mom and dad, Eugene and Virginia Deckard, grandparents Adrian and Josephine Deckard, Lee and Mabel LaBontie, his mother in law, Loretta Wilson and his sister in law, Kitty Deckard.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2025, at St. John’s UCC, 606 N. Fifth Street, Vincennes, IN 47591. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at 12:00 Noon.
Memorial contributions in Bruce’s honor can be made to St. John’s UCC or Vincennes Cub League. Online memories may be shared with Bruce’s family at www.goodwinsieversfh.com. Goodwin-Sievers Funeral Home is privileged and honored to be entrusted with the care of Bruce and his family.
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