Ronald E. DRAVES

DRAVES, HALTOM, PEPPER, TRUMPER

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 7/13/2010 at 11:32:58

Ronald E. Draves, 73, a resident of Sunnycrest Nursing Center in Dysart, formerly of Marion, died Saturday, Sept. 6, 2008, at the care center following an extended illness. Celebration of Life: 11 a.m. Wednesday, Marion Christian Church, Marion, by the Rev. Dr. Robert Kunz. The family will greet friends from 10 a.m. until service time Wednesday at the church. Arrangements by Murdoch Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Marion.

Survivors include his wife of 47 years, Bev; a son, David Draves Sr. of Marion; a brother, Ralph Draves of Texas; a sister, Norma Haltom of Ames; seven grandchildren, Damien, Ian, David Jr., Elizabeth, Avery, Olivia and Christian; and one great-grandson, Elliott. He was preceded in death by his parents, Harry and Elizabeth; and a son, Marcus.

Ronald was born Oct. 31, 1934, the son of Harry and Elizabeth (Pepper) Draves, in Klemme, Iowa . He graduated from Klemme High School in 1953 and from the University of Iowa in 1957. Ron served in the United States Army from 1957 to 1959. He then married Beverly Trumper on Nov. 1, 1959, at the Marion Christian Church. Ron served as a D.N.R. officer for 31 years, retiring in 1997. He was a member of the Isaac Walton League and taught Hunters Safety Education to thousands of teenagers in the area. He loved to hunt and fish. Ron was a true conservationist. Throughout his career, he witnessed many ecological and wildlife triumphs, including the reintroduction of wild turkeys, the skillful management of an expanding whitetail deer population, the "great immigration" of pheasants from the Dakotas into Iowa, and watching the Pleasant Creek State Park at Palo evolve into a first-class fishery and recreational area. Ron was a family man and especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established in Ron's memory.

The Gazette, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
September 8, 2008