Thomas E. Draper

83, of 608 W. Meek St. died at 5:05 am Thursday, July 17, 2003 at the Care Center of Abingdon. He was born on July 10, 1920 in Redpath, Saskatchewan, Canada to Fred Rex and Virgie Mary Robbins Draper. He married Cassie M. McGinness on April 8, 1939 in Maryville, Missouri. She preceded him in death on January 31, 1994. Surviving are two sons, Ronald (and Judy) Draper of Abingdon and David (and Cindy) Draper of Bloomington; a special friend, Ruby Swedeen of Altona, with whom he lived with before his illness; two brothers, Charles (and Norma) Draper of Urbana and Joe (and Veda) Draper of Quincy; 7 grandchildren, 3 great grandchildren, 1 step grandson, 3 step great grandchildren. He was preceded in death also by his parents, an infant brother, Jessie Draper, two brothers, Daniel and Fred Draper, two sisters, Mary Ellen Shaw and Alice McConaha and one step granddaughter, Lisa Gerstel. He grew up in Nebraska where he attended schools. He had lived in the Abingdon and Berwick areas most of his adult life. He worked as a caster and later as a foreman at the former Abingdon Pottery before retiring. He also owned and operated the former Draper's Repair and TV in Abingdon. He and his wife later farmed in the Berwick area for several years. He was a member of First Church of God in Galesburg. He was a navy veteran of WW II. He was a member of the Harry E. Wiles American Legion Post #381 in Abingdon. He was a former Boy Scout leader. Funeral service will be at 11:00 am Saturday at the Hinchliff-Pearson-West Chapel in Abingdon with Rev. Derick Bacon officiating. Burial will be in Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens in Galesburg with Military Rites by American Legion Post #381. Friends may call one hour before the service on Saturday at the chapel. Memorials may be made to Community Hospices of America.

SERVICES A service summary is not available

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Thomas E. Draper, please visit our floral store.