Francis Donald Drake left this earthly life at the age of 83. We know that his belief in our Lord and Savior will place him in the presence of God for eternity. Francis was born February 21, 1932, in Owosso, Michigan to Harold and Florence (Brown) Drake. He married Martha “Jane” Seeger on June 20, 1953, and would have celebrated 64 years together this year.
Francis worked in the motor manufacturing business as sales and production control Manager and was a respected employee and stayed with the company as it changed names from Control, Redmond in Owosso, Michigan; Redmond, Singer and Franklin Electric in Jacksonville, Arkansas, and finally Franklin Electric in Bluffton, Indiana. He retired from Franklin Electric in 1991 after 42 years of cumulative, dedicated, service.
Francis and Jane loved to travel and spent 17 years doing so, traveling throughout the United States, Canada and Mexico. He was a devote Catholic and was a Member of Mary Queen of Heaven Parrish in Malakoff, Texas, as well as a member of the Knights of Columbus. He will be missed by his family and friends but never forgotten.
He is survived by his wife, Jane of Malakoff, Texas; daughter, Rebecca Marie Drake of Marmora, Ontario, Canada; daughter and son in law Denise Ann and Gary Bentley of Malakoff, Texas and son and daughter in law Patrick Francis and Lori Drake, of Jacksonville Arkansas. Grandchildren, Ian Ollerenshaw (wife Brittany), Leslie Ollerenshaw (husband Luke) of Ontario Canada, Stephanie Ault (husband Terry), Jamie May, Jason Allen and Katlyn Drake all from Arkansas; Chad Bentley (wife Jessica) Malakoff, Texas and Drake Bentley, Canton, Texas, and 13 great-grandchildren and one on the way. He is also survived by his sister Patricia Wiegle of Clinton Township, Michigan, and brother, Dennis Drake of Cudahy, Wisconsin. Along with numerous nieces and a nephew and their families who he enjoyed visiting while he was still able to travel. He is preceded in death by his father and mother and sister, Sharon Hayes.
The family wants to offer special thanks to the staff of Cedar Lake Nursing Home and Cedar Lake Hospice for the attention and care to his needs in his final days,
Visitation will be at Malakoff Funeral Home Tuesday, April 11, 5-7 p.m. with Rosary starting at 7 p.m. The funeral mass will be held at Mary Queen of Heaven Catholic Church 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 12, with Father Anthony Mclaughlin officiating.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in the name of Francis Drake to the Mary Queen of Heaven Building Fund.