Jorja Lee Deckard Obituary (1947 - 2024)

Jorja Lee Deckard, a lifelong resident of Elwood, peacefully entered eternity and was reunited with her beloved husband on October 17, 2024, at the age of 77. Born on June 4, 1947, to the late Floyd and Thelma Wilhoit, Jorja was one of six children. She graduated from Wendell L. Willkie High School before attending Indiana University Kokomo, where she earned a Real Estate certificate. Jorja held several positions throughout her life, most notably as an office administrator at Ft. Benjamin Harrison. On December 31, 1966, she married the love of her life, David Deckard, and they shared 54 wonderful years together before his passing in 2021. Few people approached life with the enthusiasm that Jorja did. Whether singing in her band, cheering on the Colts, putting the finishing touches on a painting, or beating the odds at the casino, Jorja put her heart and soul into everything she tried. Among her greatest passions was bowling, at which she was quite skilled; she bowled for many years in the UAW Local 685 league, and even competed in Pro-Am events and national championships in Reno, Nevada. When she wasn't picking up spares, Jorja liked spending time at home playing cards, assembling puzzles, and watching television shows and movies; along with her soap operas, she was a devoted fan of John Wayne westerns, Star Trek, and especially Walker, Texas Ranger, having a special place in her heart for Chuck Norris. Jorja was also dedicated to others. An extremely giving person that never met a stranger, she was always eager to be involved and contribute. She was a member of Grace United Methodist Church, and she particularly enjoyed working as a church camp counselor and giving swimming lessons at the YWCA. Most important to Jorja, however, was her family. Nothing thrilled her like family trips to Kings Island, hugs from her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, or sharing a blooming onion at Texas Roadhouse with her loved ones. She was immensely proud of all their accomplishments, especially in sports, and she was always ready for the next adventure. Her memory will be greatly cherished. Jorja is survived by her daughters, Tina Knotts and Terri (Jacob) Winn, both of Elwood. She is also survived by her grandchildren Sheena Knotts, Sharee Knotts, David Deckard, John Deckard (Mariah), Brianna (Brandon) Leisure, Andrew Winn, Samantha Madore, Christopher (Kelsey) Deckard, and Tiffany Deckard; her many great-grandchildren; her sister Nellie Wilhoit of Elwood; her brother Paul Wilhoit of Washington, D.C.; several nieces and nephews; her special friend, Dorothy Holiday; and her treasured support dog, Lizzy. Along with her parents and husband, Jorja was preceded in death by her son Mark A Deckard; her great-grandchildren, Thomas Deckard-Madore, and Mahogany Madore; and her sisters Carolyn Mirabella, Rita Jackson, and Frances Hughes. Services for Jorja have been entrusted to Dunnichay Funeral Home in Elwood, Indiana. Visiting hours will be from 3:00pm to 6:00pm this Friday, October 25, 2024. A funeral ceremony officiated by Nate Warren will begin at 11:00am on Saturday, October 26, 2024; immediately after the funeral, Jorja will be taken to Phlox Cemetery in Howard County where she will be laid to rest following a brief committal service.