Janice Drake

Janice Yvonne Drake, 77, of Grand Rapids, Michigan, passed away peacefully in her sleep on the evening of June 18th, 2016 while surrounded by family. Born January 30th, 1939 in Comstock Park, MI, Janice Yvonne Saunders graduated from Comstock Park High School in 1957. She married Jack Lee Drake in 1959, they divorced in 1967 and remarried in 1977. Of the many jobs she held throughout her life, her favorite was being a Nurse's Aide. She loved animals and had many pets. She was an avid gardener and spent hours tending to her flowers. She enjoyed reading, doing word search puzzles, collecting cookie jars and spending time with her family. Janice was strong in her faith and enjoyed the worship and fellowship at her church, Gethsemane Lutheran. Janice was preceded in death by her parents, Wanda Fern Saunders and Robert Floyd Saunders, and her husband of 37 years, Jack Lee Drake, who passed away on January 8th, 2015. Janice is survived by her children; Jack Scott (Brenda) Drake, Kelley (Kevin) Mansfield, Laura (Randy) Miller, Anna (Jeffery) McBride, James (Barb) Drake, Rose (Steve) Strutzel, William Hicks, Toni Hicks Stilson; two sisters, Sharon (James) Drake and Debbie (Bob) Knipp; 16 grandchildren; 17 great grandchildren; 1 great-great granddaughter; her beloved dog Missy and her cat Roxy. A memorial service will be held at 3:00 PM Saturday, July 16, 2016 at Gethsemane Lutheran Church, 3152 Clyde Park Avenue SW, Wyoming, MI, with Pastor Lee Welker officiating. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting you make a memorial contribution to her church. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Janice Y. Drake please visit our Sympathy Store.