Obituary of Ralph Primm Drake

Ralph Primm Drake, 95, of Girard, passed away Sunday morning, October 23, 2016 at Sunrise Skilled Nursing in Virden, IL. Ralph was born on December 7, 1920 to John and Alice (Primm) Drake in Elkhart, IL. He graduated from Elkhart High School and served in the United States Army during WWII. Ralph served in the field artillery, receiving four battle clusters for action in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland and Central Europe. He married Mary Ellen King on August 15, 1942. She preceded him in death on August 20, 2012. Ralph was a life long farmer in the Modesto and Girard area. He was a member of the Girard United Methodist Church and served as past treasurer and president of the United Methodist Men. Ralph was also a member of the Virden American Legion. Ralph and his wife Mary helped start the Good Samaritan Food Pantry where he served as board president. He loved his wife and family very much and found fulfillment and pleasure in helping others. Ralph is survived by three sons and one daughter; David (Sharlynn) Drake of Girard, Tom (Diana) Drake of Carlinville, Pat (Don) Strubberg of Plainview and Gary Drake of Girard. He also had 12 grandchildren, plus numerous great and great-great grandchildren as well as several nieces and nephews. Ralph was preceded in death by his parents, wife and 3 sisters; Catherine Boaz, Mary Flynn and Evelyn Kutz, granddaughter, Samantha Drake, grandson, Travis Drake, and great-grandson, Dylan Drake. Visitation will be held on Saturday, October 29, 2016 from 9:00 to 12:00 pm at Davis-Anderson Funeral Home in Girard, IL. A memorial service will follow at 12:00 at the funeral home with Rev. Mary Alice Cunningham officiating. Burial will follow in Union Chapel Cemetery with full military rites conducted by the Virden American Legion. A dinner will be served following burial services at Wesley Center in Girard. Memorials are suggested to the Girard United Methodist Church, Good Samaritan Food Pantry or the Girard Fire and Rescue Squad.