Ralph Lee Drake

Ralph Lee Drake, 87 of Indianapolis passed away at 1:05 a.m. on Tuesday, November 16, 2021 at home. He was born on August 1, 1934 in Elwood and raised in Prairie Township of Tipton County. He then moved to Texas before settling in Indianapolis. Ralph Lee’s parents were Ralph Goodwin & Dena (Halley) Drake. Ralph married Janet L. Peterson on Christmas Eve in 1975.

Ralph graduated from Prairie High School in 1952. He was a farmer in Tipton County and in Texas. After moving back to Indiana, Ralph worked as a furniture salesman for Emrich’s. Retirement found time for a new hobby for Ralph – woodworking. He was self-taught and enjoyed making furniture pieces – some of them fairly large. He exhibited his work many times at the Indiana State Fair. Ralph and Janet enjoyed traveling and made it to 49 states but missed Hawaii.

Survivors besides his wife Janet includes his children, Pam Lusk, Amarillo, Texas, Steve Drake and partner Vi Fielder, Bloomfield, New Mexico, Brian Drake, Amarillo, Tony Drake and wife Tamara, Ovilla, Texas, Linda Davis, San Antonio, Texas, Dori Wilmington, Bellingham, Washington, Jeff Wilmington and wife Karen Lee, Fishers and Holly Cox and husband Larry, Coatesville. He is also survived by two sisters, Ruth Ellen Russell and husband Bob, Elgin, Illinois and Becky Martin, Frankfort; a daughter-in-law, Robbi Hodson; 14 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.

Ralph was preceded in death by two children, Sherri Ray and Merrie Wilmington and two brothers, Philip Drake and Kerry Drake.

Funeral services for Ralph will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, November 19, at Oasis Community Church, 600 Fairgrounds Road, Tipton, Indiana, 46072 with Pastor Kim Drake presiding. Burial will be in Liberty Cemetery near Groomsville. Visitation will be from 1:00 until the time of the service on Friday. Young-Nichols Funeral Home is assisting the Drake family with Ralph’s arrangements.

Memorial donations in Ralph’s memory may be made to the charity of the donor’s choice.