Emma (Deckard) Michels, 83, of Pembroke Pines, FL died Friday, June 20th, 2014, at Broward General Hospital in Fort Lauderdale, FL.

She was born on November 19, 1930 in Sainte Marie Township, Jasper County, IL. the daughter of Arthur Lee and Goldie (Milam) Deckard. She was a member of St. Maximilian Kolbe Catholic Church.

Although she was a Licensed Practical Nurse for many years and enjoyed her career very much, her life's passion was her family. Before moving from Sebastian, FL to Pembroke Pines, FL in 2008 with her husband Aloysius, she was very active in her church at St. Sebastian Catholic Church. She loved playing scrabble with her daughters and cards with friends. She was an avid traveler who enjoyed visiting so many wonderful places. After each trip she would catalog and beautifully create wonderful photo keepsake albums to remember her trips.

She cared tirelessly for her family and friends and could always be counted on to help when dealing with a new baby, moving, babysitting or if someone was ill. She was always just a phone call away to help out. Anyone who knew her was fortunate to have her in their life.

Although she was a resident of Broward Nursing & Rehabilitation due to her advanced stage of Alzheimer's disease, she appeared to be thriving and doing well in her surroundings. Her death was sudden and unexpected. Her daughters, Lisa and Renee, were by her side.

She was a wonderful and strong woman, a beloved wife, sister, sister-in-law, mother, aunt, grandmother and great grandmother. She is preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Aloysius Owens Michels. She is survived by her six children: Patricia Pucek (John) of Kent, WA; Brenda Reeves of Punta Gorda, FL; Lisa Medina of Davie, FL; Kim Cook (Gary) of Port St. Lucie, FL; Alan Michels (Kellie) of Sandy Ridge, NC; Renee Michels-Ford (John) of Pembroke Pines, FL, her sisters, Charlene Farris of Flora, IL and Dorothy Yager of Champagne, IL; her in-laws, Dolores and Benjamin Frazier of Sebastian, FL; Rosemary Groark of Lancaster, CA; Aletha and Glenn Rector of Melbourne, FL; Carol Ross of Sebastian, FL; fourteen grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband Aloysius, she was preceded in death by her parents, six brothers and sisters.

Strunk Funeral Home & Crematory, Vero Beach/St. Sebastian, FL