MARTINSVILLE — Former four-term Martinsville Mayor and current city councilman Phil Deckard I died last Friday after a long battle with illness. He was 85.
Born and raised in Bloomington, Deckard married Glenda Faye Bruner in 1958 and moved with his wife and family to Martinsville in the early ‘60s.
Known as the “Golden Voice,” he served for decades as an on-air personality for local radio station WCBK, having been hired in 1967 by station owner, the late Dave Keister.
A year later, he began his life in politics when he was elected as an Indiana State Delegate.
By 1970, he was elected as the Morgan County Clerk, serving two terms. He later served three terms as Morgan County Assessor.
In 1987, he was elected the mayor of Martinsville and served two consecutive terms, from 1988-1994. In 2007, he beat incumbent mayor Shannon Buskirk for another stint at city hall, going on to win a second consecutive term before losing to challenger Shannon Kohl in the 2015 primary.
He then successfully ran for city council in 2019, and again in 2023.
On the news of his passing last Friday, the city of Martinsville issued a statement that read: “The city extends its deepest sympathy to the family of Common Council member, and former mayor, Phil R. Deckard, Sr. on his passing. He will be remembered for his many contributions to make our city a better place for all.”
Other heartfelt attributes poured in on social media from far and wide, including one from Kohl, who expressed her gratitude for the support the entire Deckard family had provided her over the years.
On Friday evening, Morgan County Council President and close family friend Kim Merideth offered her own tribute, saying, “Our community lost a great man this morning. Phil Deckard Sr. is such a legacy of our community. As I stood at his bed Tuesday, I prayed a prayer of gratitude for all the things he has done for our family and our community. I ask for prayers for the Deckard family as they navigate the days ahead.”
One of those on the receiving end of Deckard’s legacy of service was local social media star Brian “Tow Truck Wags” Wagaman, who credited Deckard for helping him turn his life around at a pivotal moment.
“None of you would know who I am if it weren’t for a man named Phil R. Deckard,” Wagaman wrote to his more than 200,000 Facebook followers, adding that he was “so thankful for (Deckard’s) ability to see what’s inside rather than judge. … Rest easy, Phil, and thank you.”
As a council member from District 1, Deckard was two years into his four-year term, which means the vacancy will need filled by way of a caucus.
According to Morgan County Republican Party Chair Carole Snyder, formal notice of the vacancy will need to come from the Morgan County Clerk’s Office, which then starts the 30-day window to fill the seat.
“Probably once we get through New Year’s, we’ll start getting everybody’s calendars together and go from there,” Snyder said when reached by phone Sunday.
Deckard will be laid to rest in Clear Creek Cemetery in Bloomington.
