RVBusiness, January/February 2021

Champion Enterprises forming a new company called Skyline Champion Corporation and the largest mobile home builder in the industry While Decios business accomplishments are undoubtedly impressive he appeared on the cover of Time magazine in 1965 honoring him in its Millionaires Under 40 issue his philanthropic efforts and community service are genuinely one of a kind In the late 1950s Decio started raising money for a range of community causes which he supported to the end of his life In his hometown he led fundraising campaigns to build St Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church remodel Elkhart General Hospital and renovate the Lerner Theatre He was a lifelong supporter of The Salvation Army In 2016 Beacon Health System dedicated the Arthur J Decio Pavilion at Elkhart General Hospital to honor his 60 years of financial support Decio a University of Notre Dame trustee also helped establish an Indiana University campus in Elkhart In 1984 United Way of Elkhart County honored him by establishing the Arthur J Decio Volunteer of the Year Award He was a life member of the Elkhart County chapter of the NAACP and was active in the Elkhart Urban League He was a large contributor and fundraiser for the 1968 Democratic presidential campaign of Sen Robert F Kennedy and introduced Kennedy at a rally in downtown Elkhart that drew 9000 people Within months Decio would serve as an honorary pallbearer at Kennedys funeral He was an advisor to local state and national leaders of both parties Decio served on the boards of businesses banks and nonprofits and received dozens of awards He was among the founders of WNITTV and with his wife underwrote Sesame Street and other public television programming 42 RVBusiness J A N U A R Y F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 1 He was awarded the stations first Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999 He was a founding director of the Community Foundation of Elkhart County Three U S presidents appointed Decio to federal commissions He served on the boards of more than 40 civic religious educational and financial organizations including the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago He joined the international board of Special Olympics at the request of founders Sargent Shriver and Eunice Kennedy Shriver and helped organize the International Special Olympics at Notre Dame in 1987 He also received honorary degrees from the University of Notre Dame Hillsdale College Indiana State University Purdue University St Marys College Vincennes University and Salem College One of Decios more recent achievements involved the revival of Elkharts crumbling ELCO Theater into what has now become the spectacular Lerner Theater For his efforts Decio was honored with his name emblazoned on a plaque in the lobby in December of 2019 According to then Elkhart Mayor Tim Neese Art was not only instrumental in raising the money to conduct the restoration but was probably the largest financial contributor U S Rep Jackie Walorski R Ind commented on Decios passing saying he was an entrepreneur community leader and champion of his beloved Elkhart He built an enduring legacy and will long be remembered for his kind heart and passion for serving others Arts passing is a profound loss for our community Dean and I will keep his family in our prayers during this difficult time A statement from the Elkhart Ind mayors office said the city lost a giant and that Decios contributions to the arts