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Charles Draker
CHARLES DRAKER
Cedar Rapids
Charles Joseph Draker, 88, of Cedar Rapids, passed away Thursday, Oct. 2, 2014, at Mercy Medical Center in Cedar Rapids. Visitation will be Tuesday, Oct. 7, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Cedar Memorial Park Funeral Home, with a vigil service starting at 3:30 p.m. Funeral Mass will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8, at St. Pius X Catholic Church, with the Rev. Phil Thompson officiating. Burial will be in St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Hills, with military honors.
He is survived by his loving wife, Betty, of Cedar Rapids; children, Dennis (Susan) Draker of Oregon, Wis., Robert (Roxy) Draker of Cedar Rapids, Susan (Edward) Colby of Marion and James (Kim) Draker of Palo; six grandchildren, Jeffery (Diana) Draker, Amy (Clint) Houdek, Danielle Draker, Steven Colby, Madison and Colton Draker; and seven great-grandchildren, M'Lynn and Kane Kurtz, Hannah, Cael and Hudson Draker, Kailey Houdek and Jackson Reed.
He was preceded in death by his parents; siblings, Charlene Still, Phyllis Kirsch, Lorraine Grady, Marilyn McDonald and Jack Draker; and a grandson, Kody Corum.
Charles Joseph Draker was born Sept. 15, 1926, in Hills, Iowa, the son of Charles W. and Evelyn Rose Dietsch Draker. He graduated from Springville High School with the class of 1944. Charles proudly served in the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. He was united in marriage to Betty Blok Draker on June 18, 1946, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Marion. Charles was employed at Collins Radio/Rockwell as manager of the engineering lab support department and retired in 1987, after 43 years of service.
He was a member of St. Pius X Catholic Church, American Legion Post 298, Cedar Rapids Bassmasters, Otter Creek Gun Club and Ducks Unlimited. He enjoyed the outdoors and was an avid fisherman. Charles was a lifelong Green Bay Packers fan.
He was an amazing husband, father, grandfather and friend. The three things that were most important to Charles were his family, his faith and living life to its fullest. He will be greatly missed.
Memorial donations may be directed to American Legion Post 298, 625 31st St., Marion, IA 52302.
Please leave an online condolence for the family at www.cedar memorial.com under Obituaries.
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