Not sure the story behind this Decatur funeral

What I've learned from a faithful reader:

J. M. Brooks . . . built the casket himself. I can send you pictures or give you any information you wish to know about it.

He gave us . . . explicit instructions that he was not to ride in a hearse. We had intended to load him in the back of [our] pickup when one of his dear friends offered the use of this Peterbuilt.

He was a great, self-made man . . . .  Anyone that knew him, knows how much the casket, service, and marker are him.

Edit: Other photos