Howard W. Drake, 82, of Troy, OH, went to be with the Lord at 10a.m. on Saturday December 6, 2003 at Miami Valley Hospital, Dayton, OH. Mr. Drake was born July 27, 1921 in Fletcher, OH to the late Howard O. and Bonnie Marr Drake. He is survived by his wife of 59 years, Ruby Artz Drake; daughters and sons-in-law, Shirley and Robert Drake of Troy, OH, Sandy and Larry Webb of Troy, OH, Sheila and Mike McClure of High Point, NC; son and daughter-in-law, Steve and Paula Drake of Troy, OH; a brother and sister-in-law, Harley and Beverly Drake of Arlington Hts. IL; 10 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Marvin and Emerson Drake. Mr. Drake was a member of Troy Church of the Nazarene where he taught Sunday School for over 50 years; actively involved in prison and nursing home ministry. His life centered around the church and his family. He was a US Army Air Corps Veteran of WWII in the Aleutian Islands; a 1939 Troy High School Graduate and retired in 1986 as an ironworker and later Superintendent of Piqua Steel after orver 39 years of service. Contributions can be made to the Troy Church of the Nazarene Missions Fund.