Joe I. Draper

Joe I. Draper, 86, lifelong Flora resident, passed away Friday, April 4, 2014, at St. Elizabeth Healthcare Center in Delphi.

He was born January 25, 1928, in Flora, the son of Carl and Mary Cline Draper.  On January 6, 1952, he married Carol Bryan at St. Peters Lutheran Church in Camden; she survives.

Joe graduated from Flora High School in 1946 and went to serve in the United States Army in Japan following World War II.  He worked for the United States Postal Service as a mail carrier and assistant Postmaster at Flora Post Office, ending his 37 year career as Postmaster at the Camden Post Office in 1988.  Joe was a member of the Church of the Brethren, Camden American Legion, Flora Volunteer Fire Department, and Flora Masonic Lodge where he was also past Master.  Joe enjoyed his garden and yard work.  Joe loved his family and his church; his great grandchildren’s activities were always a priority.

In addition to his wife, Joe is survived by his children, Gary (Nancy) Draper of Port Charlotte, FL, Kyra (Gary) McCormick of Jeffersonville, and Beth (Curt) Hufty of Flora; sisters, Martha (Clyde) Unz of Reddick, IL, and Joan Frye of Flora; grandchildren, Jonathan (Sandi) Draper, Danielle Loosbrock, Kensi (Robert) Bishop, Caleb (Nick) Loosbrock, Kelly McCormick, Ashley McCormick, Chris (Kiley) McCormick, Amy (Jeremy) Duff, Breann (Dave) Falkenberg, and Dustin (Nicole) Hufty; and 12 great grandchildren.

Joe is preceded in death by his parents and one sister, Marjorie Trent.

Visitation for Joe will be held on Monday, April 7, 2014, at Genda Funeral Home Reinke Chapel in Flora from 4:00 – 7:00 p.m.  Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, April 8, 2014, at the funeral home with Pastor John Stacy officiating.  Burial will follow in Maple Lawn Cemetery in Flora.  Memorials in Joe’s name may be made to St. Peters Lutheran Church in Camden.  Online condolences may be directed to gendafuneralhome.com.