Wilfred W. Drake,91, passed from his earthy life to his eternal life on Friday,June 4, 2010. He had been a resident of the Waldron Health and Rehab Center for the past 18 months.
He was a lifelong member of Lewis Creek Wesleyan Church at Lewis Creek and a member of the Shelby County Western Riders Club. He had been a farmer in Shelby County and Bartholomew County and worked at Chrysler Motor Co. in Indianapolis.
He also had been employed at Cummins Engine Co for twenty six years and retired in 1983.
He was born on October 15, 1918 to Curtis and Cliffie "Goldie" Ware Drake of Shelbyville and graduated from Flat Rock High School in 1936. On January 31, 1942 he married Frances Miller from Grant County Indiana and she preceded him in death.
In May of 1942 , Mr Drake entered the U.S. Army and served three years during World War II. During his years of military service he served as a Construction Foreman in the Tunisian Campaign, Naples-Foggia Campaign and the Rome-Arno Campaign. He was honorably discharged in June of 1945 with a EAME Theater ribbon with three Bronze Stars and a Good Conduct Ribbon.
Mr Drake is survived by three sons Gary L. Drake of Columbus; Darrell L. Drake of Butlerville and Dale E. (Cheri) Drake of Scipio; seven grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his wife Frances Drake, three daughters, Ellen, Sheryl and Karen Drake , a son Dennis Drake and a granddaughter Kimberly Drake.
The funeral service will be conducted at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday at Norman Funeral Home in Hope with Pastor David Gates officiating . Calling hours will be on Tuesday from 10:00 a.m. until service time . Burial will be at Flat Rock Cemetery.