Donald L. Drayton's Obituary
Mr. Donald L. Drayton, age 90, passed away peacefully on January 2, 2024. He was born in Grand Rapids, MI, on October 12,1933 to William and Grace (Lowden) Drayton. He graduated from Comstock Park High School in 1951. He served in the Navy during the Korean War from 1952 -1954. He always said he “was in the Navy but never stepped foot on a ship”. As a Naval airplane mechanic he was required to fly the planes he repaired to prove to the fighter pilots that the job was done right. After serving in the Navy, he married the love of his life: Carole E. Westra, to whom he was happily married for 69 years. Don graduated from Western Michigan University with a degree in teaching. He briefly taught for Ravenna Public Schools before finishing out his career at Oakridge as a math and woods teacher.
Don absolutely loved the Ravenna Community. He was a founding member of the 1st Reformed Church and served on the planning team to build the original church. He used his gift for woodworking to build the original furniture for the pulpit, baptismal font and communion table. He was an active member of the Ravenna American Legion Post 297, whose honor guard will be performing the military rites at his funeral. He loved doing jigsaw puzzles, traveling and spending time with family, visitors and friends. He loved the outdoors, especially, hunting, fishing, boating, and sailing.
Don is survived by his loving wife, Carole; their three children: Paul D. Drayton, Ruth E. Jordan, and Melinda S. (Adam) Plank; five wonderful grandchildren: Margaret and Catherine Plank, and Paul, Karen and Sally Jordan; three siblings: George Drayton, Chester (Connie) Drayton, and Lucia DeBonte; four siblings in-law: Violet Petznik, Bertha Lake, Clara Drayton, and Virginia Kimmer; and many other extended family members, including Anne and Louis Schoell.
Don is preceded in death by his parents, William and Grace Drayton; four siblings: Dave Petznik, Chris Drayton, Norma Joy (Mel) Dean, and Terry Drayton; son in-law, Mike Jordan; and four siblings in-law: Lois Drayton, Duane DeBonte, Eleanor (Richard) Bell, and Jerry Kimmer.
A MEMORIAL VISITATION will be held on Saturday January 6, 2024 at The Ravenna Chapel of Sytsema Funeral & Cremation Services, 3570 Thomas St, Ravenna, MI, 49451, from 1:30 PM - 3:00 PM. A MEMORIAL SERVICE will immediately follow at 3:00 PM with Pastor Steve VanderWoude officiating. In lieu of flowers please consider making a memorial contribution to The First Church of Ravenna Rebuilding Fund. Please sign the family’s online guestbook and share memories with the family at sytsemafh.com.
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