Helen Drake

Helen Elizabeth Drake Helen Elizabeth Drake, age 88, of Bellefontaine, formerly of West Mansfield, died Thursday, April 7, 2011, at Mary Rutan Hospital, Bellefontaine, with her family at her side. A loving homemaker, she was a member of the West Mansfield United Methodist Church and was a 1940 graduate of Bellefontaine High School. She loved cooking, baking and playing cards and enjoyed crafts of all types, especially crocheting having made afghans for all of her grandchildren. She was known to be a bit ornery and her greatest moments came when surrounded by her family. She was born July 14, 1922, in Bellefontaine to the late Clarence and Jessie Stephens Parker. She married Thomas L. Drake on March 4, 1946, and he preceded her in death on April 17, 1976. She was also preceded in death by 2 sisters, Ruth Huffman and Pauline Presnell, and four brothers, Herb, Ralph, Wilbur, and Robert Parker. Survivors include her children, Jacqulyn (Ernest) Parks, Middleburg; Mona (Dean) Grimes, Clarksville, TN; Ronald Drake, Bellefontaine; and David (Debbie) Drake, West Mansfield; 10 grandchildren, Tricia (Doug) Rees, Kevin (Brandy) Parks, Ryan Parks, Jeffrey (Eileen) Grimes, Scott (Crystal) Grimes, Stacey (Michael) McShane, Darren Drake, Shaun Drake, Jessica Drake, and Corey Drake; 16 great-grandchildren; one great-great-granddaughter; and many nieces and nephews. Friends may call from Noon until 2:00 p.m. on Monday, April 11, 2011, at Mannasmith-Schnurrenberger Funeral Home, West Mansfield, where the funeral service will begin at 2:00 p.m. Reverend A.W. Purdin will officiate and burial will take place at Harper Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Logan County Cancer Society. Condolences may be expressed at www.mannasmithfuneralhome.com. CLICK HERE TO VIEW CONDOLENCES for Helen Elizabeth Drake