Mike Deck

Michael "Mike" Joe Deck, 66, of Carterville, Ill., died Thursday, June 18, 2009, at Memorial Hospital in Carbondale. He was born June 25, 1942, in Piggott, to Bernie and Lucille (Pollard) Deck. He married Linda Taylor, Jan. 26, 1963, in Piggott.

Mike retired from Carterville High and Junior High Schools in 1994 after 22 years, where he taught Physical Education. Before coming to Carterville, Mike taught at Charleston, Mo., from 1965 to 1972. He served as football coach at Carterville from 1972 to 1988, and track coach from 1972 to 1982, and led some very successful teams. He also served as an assistant coach under Shawn Watson for three years at Southern Illinois University.

Mike was an avid outdoorsman, and loved sports. He enjoyed fishing and hunting, but most of all he could be found most days playing golf at Crab Orchard Golf Course in Carterville. He was a University of Arkansas Razorback fan, and was awarded a scholarship to play football for the Razorbacks for two years until injuries ended his football career. He was a member of the First Baptist Church of Carterville and the Southern Illinois Coaches Association.

He was preceded in death by his parents, and his step-father, Elmer Morgan.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Deck of Carterville; a son, Brian Deck of St. Louis; three grandchildren, Anna Morgan Deck, Evan Taylor Deck and Eric Michael Deck, all of St. Louis; two sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Phyllis and Jon Morgan of Daphne, Ala., and Martha and John Prince of Corpus Christi, Texas, along with brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Julius and Donzie Taylor of Denver, Colo.

Funeral services were held Sunday, June 21, at the First Baptist Church in Carterville with Rev. Dwayne Sheumaker and Rev. Brad Harlow officiating. A graveside service was held Monday, June 22, at Piggott Cemetery with Jerry Morgan officiating. Local pallbearers were Scot Sale, Joe Farmer, Jason Horner, Tony Horner, Jim Cole and Mike Goostree.

Hoggard and Sons Funeral Home of Piggott was charged with the local arrangements.