Frank E. Drudge

Frank E. Drudge, 89, formerly of Silver Lake, IN died at 9:20 a.m. Monday, April 29, 2013 at Peabody Retirement Community, North Manchester, IN. He was born May 8, 1923 in Elkhart, IN to Ray & Mary Edith (Ulrey) Drudge. He was raised by his uncle & aunt, John & Carrie (Drudge) Ayers. Frank graduated from Silver Lake High School in 1941. On September 27, 1942 he married Helen Sittler. Frank was a Veteran of the United States Army serving during WWII and received the Bronze Star. He began working for his uncle at the John Ayers Market and later assumed ownership and established Drudge's Market in downtown Silver Lake. Later, he was a rural mail carrier for the Silver Lake Post Office for 30 years. He was a member of the United Methodist Church, North Manchester, IN, Warsaw Masonic Lodge #73, Warsaw, IN and the American Legion. He served his community as a longtime board member of the Lakeview Cemetery Association, Silver Lake, IN. He is survived by his wife, Helen Drudge, North Manchester, IN; one son, Michael V. (Carole Grinstead) Drudge, Sylviana, OH; two grandchildren, Jeffrey (Ellen) Drudge and Derek (Becky) Drudge, both of San Francisco, CA; and two step grandchildren, Nick Grinstead, Beirut, Lebanon & Lindsay Grinstead, Chicago, IL. Four brothers and three sisters are deceased. Services will be May 10, 2013 at 3:00 p.m. at Peabody Chapel, 400 W. Seventh Street, North Manchester, IN. Family and friends may call two hours prior to services. Pastor Sue Babovec & Rev. Kevin DeKoninck will officiate. There will be a private burial at Lakeview Cemetery, Silver Lake, IN. For those who wish to honor the memory of Frank Drudge, memorial contributions may be made to Honor Flight of Northeast Indiana, PO Box 5, Huntertown, IN 46748. Arrangements entrusted to McKee Mortuary, 1401 State Road 114 West, North Manchester, IN. To send a private condolence to the Drudge family, use the Condolence link on the Homepage.