Drager Sr., Dwayne D.

Dwayne D. Drager Sr., 91, Tipton, died Thursday, May 3, 2012, in Cedar Manor Nursing Home. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 5, at Fry Funeral Home, with military rites being conducted at the funeral home. Visitation will be Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home.

Dwayne was born Jan. 6, 1921, in rural Tipton, to George and Martha Behrens Drager. Dwayne was united in marriage to Betty Jean Hegarty in Tipton on Sept. 3, 1944. Dwayne began farming in 1933 and farmed until the mid-1980s and was proud that he still managed his own farm. Dwayne worked for Procter & Gamble for 27 years as a warehouse inspector, retiring in 1980. He served his country in the United States Army and was a proud veteran of World War II.

He volunteered at the VA Health Care System for 30+ years, with over 10,000 hours of volunteer time. Dwayne was a life member of the Tipton VFW and a member of the Bennett American Legion. He was a member of the South Bethel United Methodist Church and the Rochester United Methodist Church.

Dwayne is survived by his wife, Betty of Tipton; daughters, Anita Drager of Oklahoma City, Okla., Linda Crispin of Spokane, Wash., and Denise Drager of Denver, Colo.; sons, Robert (Brenda) Drager of Tipton, Dwayne Jr. (Gloria) Drager of Iowa City, Donald (Rita) Drager of Tipton and Dennis (Heidi) Drager of Marshalltown; sister, Duetta Schwitzer of Tipton; eight grandchildren; five great-grandchildren; and a nephew.

He was preceded in death by his parents; son-in-law, Gerald Crispin; daughter-in-law, Candice Olds; and brother-in-law, Ray Schwitzer.

A memorial fund has been established in his memory.

Online condolences may be shared with his family at www.fryfuneralhome.com.

Published May 4, 2012 in The Gazette