"WE WILL MISS HIM!"
In loving memory of
Donald P. Drake
September 6, 1923 - April 12, 2001
Donald P. Drake, 77, of Marquette, died Thursday morning, April 12, 2001 at Marquette General Hospital where he had been a patient for a day.
Mr. Drake was born September 6, 1923 in Imperial Heights, Michigan to the late William and Marie (St.Onge) Drake. On July 4, 1944, he married the former Frances Zinski at St. Peter Cathedral in Marquette.
He served with the United States Army during World War II attaining the rank of Sergeant. During the time of his service he received the Purple Heart award as well as two Bronze Stars.
Don was formerly employed with the Duluth South Shore and Atlantic Railroad as a blacksmith for many years. He later worked with the Grove and the Hennes Construction Companies as an operating engineer.
He was a member of St. Christopher Catholic Church, Local 324, Operating Engineers, the VFW, American Legion Post #44, and Marquette Council #689, Knights of Columbus.
Don enjoyed playing baseball in his younger years and he also loved to hunt.
Survivors include his wife, Frances; two daughters, Gail (Tom) Jasionowski of Centreville, VA and Donna Francek of Appleton, WI; four grandchildren, Angela Cook, Timothy Jasionowski, Brandi Jasionowski and Christopher Francek; five great grandchildren, Michael and Derek Nelson, Brittany and Jamie Cook and Mason John Francek; three sisters, Helen Brotherton of Negaunee, Alva Olson of Marquette and Elizabeth Krause of Gresham, WI; also surviving are several nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death besides his parents were two brothers, Albert and Robert (Lempi) Drake; also a son-in-law, John Francek.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, April 16 at 11 a.m. in St. Christopher Catholic Church with the Rev. Alex Sample officiating. Interment will take place in the Holy Cross Cemetery. Friends may call at the church on Monday from 9 a.m. until the time of the mass.
Memorials are preferred in lieu of flowers.
The Canale-Tonella Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Tributes
"Dear Donna and family,We are so sorry to read about your father passing away. And we are even more sorry to read about Johns death. Please accept our deepest sympathy."
"Dear Francis, Gail & Donna and family. Just know that our prayers and thoughts are with you today and the days ahead. All Our Love, Charlie and Ann"
"WITH DEEPIST SYMPATHIES ANNA JASIONOWSKI AND JOSEPH JASIONOWSKI"
"DEEPEST SYMPHATHIES WILL KEEP YOU IN OUR PRAYERS ON MONDAY"
"What can you say about having such a wonderful neighbor for 37 years !!! Anyone who can live next to a family with six kids, assorted dogs and cats and never complained (to us anyway) has a special place in heaven."
"I will always remember his laughter, that brought a smile to my face. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Jeanne Drake"
"God Bless You all and you are in our prayers. Don will be sadly missed by all of us especially our young children who adored him and called him Uncle Drake - We will miss you Don !! God Bless all"
"Louise and Family (Jenny and Doug) Send there love and prayers at this sad time and will be thinking of you as always. Our Warmest Love Louise, Jenny and Doug"
"We were sorry to hear about Donald's passing. My wife Linda was Donald's brother Al and Mille Drake neice. Jerry Hawes"
"My sympathies are with all the family. I will always remember his funny stories and the great family card games. He could always make me laugh."
"To my loving brother, may God be with you,Duck& Nig. Love Hi"
"May you be with our Lord Doll"
"To the Drake Family, Our sincerest sympathy for your loss."