Arthur C. Drake

Mr. Arthur C. Drake, age 83, of Vermontville passed away Tuesday, November, 18th, 2014 at Battle Creek VA Medical Center in Battle Creek, MI. Art was born in Charlotte, MI on August 2, 1931, the son of the late, Arthur C. and Bethel (Pixley) Drake. He was raised in the Charlotte and Lansing area and attended local schools. Art joined the United States Army in May of 1949 and served during the Korean Conflict as a Unit Supply Specialist. ÂWhile serving his country Art was decorated with the MVD & Mech. Badge, AOM (Japan) KSM, and UNSM . He was honorably discharged on November 7, 1952. He was the husband of Mable (Frith) Drake. The couple was married on July 20, 1952 and made their home together in the Nashville area where they raised their family together. Art and Mable had celebrated 28 years of marriage when she passed away 1980. In December 16 1988, he married Joyce Ohm; the couple had been married 22 years when Joyce passed away in 2010. Art spent his working career as a Tool & Die maker for Auto Air in Lansing. The company made specialty tool molds for the automotive and aerospace industries. Art built the hand made fiberglass molds for jet engines. The molds he produced were then used to mass produce parts for large commercial jet engines. Art was employed at Auto Air for over 30 years before retiring in 1993. When he was younger, Art enjoyed spending time outdoors hunting, fishing. He also enjoyed flying his airplane; a Cessna 151, and golfing. Art truly enjoyed being home spending time there with his dog "Sam" and a good pipe. Art is survived by his two daughters, Mary (Thomas) Lesage, Debbie (Tom) Groh, four sons Arthur C Drake III, David (Ginger) Drake, Ross (Norma) Drake, Roger (Mary Ann) Drake, three brothers, Melvin (Virginia) Drake, Clare (Shirley) Drake, Bruce (Joyce) Drake, 14 grandchildren, and 3 Great Grandchildren He was preceded in death by his wife Mable in 1980, his wife Joyce in 2010, brother Ken Nevins in 2006, sister Darlene Gross in 2013 Funeral Services will be held at The Nashville Baptist Church, Nashville, MI, at 11:00 AM on Saturday, November 22nd, with Pastor DeGroot officiating. The family will receive visitors on Friday November 21, 2014 from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM at The Daniels Funeral Home in Nashville. Interment with full military honors will take place at Lakeview Cemetery Nashville, MI. Memorial contributions can be made to the Maple Valley Scholarship Fund. Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Daniels Funeral Home in Nashville. For further details please visit our website at www.danielsfuneralhome.net