Darlene Ann Drake

DARLENE ANN DRAKE April 15, 1931 - June 17, 2014

ELKHART- Darlene Ann Drake, 83, of Elkhart, passed away on Tuesday June 17, 2014 at her home. She was born April 15, 1931 in Idaho Falls, Idaho. On August 28, 1949 in Reno, Nevada she married George R. Drake. He survives along with five children, Catherine A. Drake, RN of Novato, CA, Rev. Robert S. Drake of Green Brae, CA, Carol A. Drake of Mishawaka, IN, Constance A. (Ronald) Hoffman of Syracuse, IN, Cheryl A. (Bradley) Bair of Elkhart; her former daughter-in-law, Jan Pettit, RN of Beaverton, Oregon; eight grandchildren, Mary Drake, Alexis Henry, Adam Bair, Emily Bair, Rebecca Drake, Daniel Hoffman, Elizabeth Hoffman, Jesse Hoffman, and three great-grandchildren, Aaron Henry, Jackson Henry, and Arianna Henry. Also surviving are 6 siblings, Gayle Bennett, Orlo Bennett, Lee Hobb, Suzanne Balderston, Marilee Lewis and Dennis Hobb. She was preceded in death by her mother, Vinnie Hobbs, a grandson, Clayton Drake Hoffman and a sister, Patsy Clyne. Darlene was very active in multiple humanitarian, ecological, animal rights and rescue organizations. She was a member of the National Catholic Right to Life and a longtime member of Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Mishawaka. She enjoyed traveling throughout the world, loved animals, spending time with her family, doing internet research and being on Facebook. Darlene worked for Elkhart General Hospital from 1960 till her retirement in 2006. She was the Ward Secretary in the Emergency Room and did the scheduling for the on-call doctors for the Elkhart Clinic and the hospital. Visitation for Darlene will be from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 21, 2014 at Queen of Peace Catholic Church in Mishawaka. A memorial mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. at the church. Fr. John Eze will preside. Cremation has taken place. Zimmerman-Inman Funeral Home in Osceola is entrusted with arrangements. Memorial contributions may be directed to Pancreatic Research, ASPCA, and SIDS Foundation.