Theodore Dechman, III

Retired 1st Sergeant (1SG) Theodore “Ted” Dechman, III, age 73 of Franklin, KY., entered into rest Sunday, April 25, 2010 at the Skyline Medical Center in Madison, TN.

A native of Kansas City, Missouri, he was the son of the late Theodore Dechman, Jr. and the late Anna Opal Hightower Gill. He was preceded in death by a sister Patricia A. Hyman and step son Michael John Wiggins.

He is survived by his wife Marjorie Dechman,1 daughter Kathi Mattas and her husband Wayne of Owensboro, KY. 3 sons Mike Dechman and his wife Lauren and Bill Dechman all of Owensboro, Ky. and David Dechman and his wife Michelle of Wagner, SC., 3 step-daughters Mary Ellis and her husband Robert of Franklin, KY, Lovella Carter of Hermitage, TN., and Inez Kinlaw of Lebanon, TN., 4 brothers Ray Dechman of Oak Grove, Missouri, Mike Gill of Douglasville, GA. Teddy Dechman of St. Augustine, FL. and Dale Dechman of Middleburg, FL.,, 5 sisters Carol Lee Prosser of Lake Ozark, Missouri, Karen Doll of Urich, Missouri, Sharon Sellen and Carolyn Orr both of Gladstone, Missouri, Marlyn Gray of Bagnell, Missouri, 8 Grandchildren, 11 Step Grandchildren and 17 Step-Great Grandchildren.

1SG (Ret.) Dechman retired from the Army in 1979, he was awarded the Bronze Star during his combat in Vietnam with the Sky Soldiers of the 173rd Airborne Brigade, others awards included are the Ranger Tab, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, Master Parachutists Badge, Vietnam Service Medal, National Service Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Meritorious Service Medal and 3 Good Conduct Medals. He was a member of the V.F.W. #5706, Am Vets, American Legion #62 and he was a member of the Masonic Lodge and a Shriner.