Shirley Jeane Drake

Shirley Jeane Drake died October 3, 2018, peacefully in her sleep, due to complications of a serious stroke.

Born in Detroit in 1927, Shirley Jeane Brown, daughter of Colan and (Florence) Dora Brown and the oldest of three children.  Her first 12 years were spent in Roscommon, Michigan.  Father, a lumberjack and famer, moved the family to a farm in Nashville, Michigan in 1939.  After graduating from High School, she began a career in accounting and clerical work.  The Catholic Church was Shirley's belief and strength and she helped with the organization and construction of Our Lady of Great Oak Catholic Church in Lacey, MI and was a devoted member of the congregation.

Shirley married Donald Earl Drake on July 2, 1947 and had two children, Thomas and Debora.  After the children were in school she worked for PCA and Federal Landbank, retiring in 1986 to keep books and help Don run Farmers Feed Service in Hastings.  Shirley was a very active community person, having been the Baltimore Township Supervisor.  She also gave 30 years support to the 4-H program and was a member of the State Horse Developmental Committee.  She was often found on the weekend at the Kettinen Center programs.  She also was involved with the Barry County Fair.  Shirley was the first president of the Bedford Lady Lions at the same time Don was president of the Lions Club.

Shirley and Don were great roller skaters when they were young and loved to square dance.  Later she was a league bowler and an avid golfer, competing on golf leagues each year, at least one of them with Don.  Shirley loved fishing and was a hunter of Deer, Squirrel and the peace found in the woods.  The family spent many Thanksgiving Days hunting in Roscommon and many a hunting trip to the U.P., tenting with friends.

Living on Clear Lake was her joy and travel was her passion, having been to Cancun, Aruba, Texas, Maine, Alaska, Hawaii and many other states.  Don and Shirley spent endless weeks in their fifth wheel camper and with the Good Sams Club travelers, who they cherished.

Shirley was preceded in death by her parents, younger brother James Brown and her son, Thomas Eugene Drake.

Surviving is her husband, Donald Drake of Dowling, daughter, Debora Drake of Dowling,  daughter-in-law, Patricia Drake of Lake Odessa,  grandson, Bryce Drake, granddaughter, Dana Drake of Connecticut, two great-grandchildren, Charlotte and Myles, and sister, Jackie Rogers of Howell.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, October 7, 2018 from 3:00 to 5:00 pm at the Girrbach Funeral Home in Hastings.  A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, October 8, 2018 at 11:00 am at Our Lady of Great Oak Catholic Church, 6574 Lacey Rd., Bellevue, MI  49021.  Internment will follow at the Dowling Cemtery.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Michigan 4-H horse program with the following information:   Check payable to Michigan 4-H Foundation,  Mail to: Karen Waite, 474 Shaw Lane 1250 Anthony Hall, East Lansing, MI 48824.   Indicate that the check is a memorial contribution.  Funds will be forwarded to the Horse Science Program through the Foundation".