Merrill L. “Pat” Draper
Merrill Draper Obituary
Merrill L. "Pat" Draper, age 93, of Amboy, Illinois died Sunday, June 14, 2015 at Aperion Care in Amboy.
Pat was born February 17, 1922 the son of Ivan and Helen (Murphy) Draper in New Bedford, Illinois. He was united in marriage to Joyce Conner on October 18, 1946 in Ohio, Illinois. He served in the United States Navy during World War II. Pat moved to the Walton area in 1948 and farmed there for his whole life. He was a member of the Amboy School Board, the Lee County Merit Board, the Lee County Deputies Association, the Lee County ASCS committee, and the Walnut Masonic Lodge #722. He was the East Grove Township Road Commissioner for 26 years. Pat was a former member the Ohio United Methodist Church and a present member of the Red Oak United Methodist Church. He enjoyed the Lee County 4H Center. He served on the 4H Center Board and was a 4H leader. Pat enjoyed fishing in Canada, area high school sports, and local livestock shows. He dearly loved his grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Joyce of Amboy; one daughter, Kelli (Jane) Draper of Dixon, Illinois; one son, Tom (Theresa) Draper, their two children, Nathan Draper and Lydia Draper all of Amboy; one daughter- in law, Sandra (Michael, deceased) Draper, their two children, Jonathan Draper and Mathew (Katie) Draper, one great-grandchild, Curtis Draper, all of Amboy; one sister Marjorie Frank of Palm Springs, California; one sister- in law, Barb Draper of Ohio, Illinois and numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by one son, Michael; one son in infancy, both parents and four brothers, Marvin, James, Ivan "Short" Jr. and Robert; and one sister, Marian Gustafson.
A funeral service will be held Friday, June 19, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. at the Garland Funeral Home in Walnut, with Rev. Judy Giese, Pastor of the Red Oak United Methodist Church, officiating. Burial will take place in Walnut Cemetery. Visitation will be held Thursday, June 18, 2015 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Garland Funeral Home in Walnut. A memorial has been established to the Ohio Veterans Memorial and the Lee County 4H Center. Condolences may be sent to www.garlandfuneralhome.com
Visitation:
Thursday, June 18, 2015 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Garland Funeral Home in WalnutService:
Friday, June 19, 2015 2:00 p.m. Garland Funeral Home in WalnutTo send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Merrill L. “Pat” Draper, please visit our floral store.