Robert "Bob" Draege

June 16, 1926 - August 17, 2019

Robert "Bob" Draege, 93, of Mt. Vernon, passed away Saturday, August 17, 2019, at his home. He was born June 16, 1926, in Mt. Vernon, the son of Gus and Bertha (Sorenson) Draege. On November 26, 1949, in Mt. Vernon, he married Jean Hawkins, and she preceded him in death on January 29, 2010. Mr. Draege served in the United States Army during World War II, serving in the Philippines and Japan, and was very proud to have served. He was a member of Boyd Christian Church, Operating Engineers Local 520, and was a former Jefferson County Board member. He was a farmer in Jefferson County until he was 62 years old, then worked in timber and logging until his retirement at age 85. He is survived by two daughters, Brenda Randall and husband Dale of Mt. Vernon, and Dessie Staley and husband J.R. of Mt. Vernon; one daughter-in-law, Kathy Draege of Vandalia; seven grandchildren, Robert Staley, Emalie Babb and husband Shannon, Michael Meyer and wife Brandi, Aaron Draege and special friend Morgan, Jake Draege and wife Emily, Colton Draege and wife Paityn, and Gigi Rice; and eight great-grandchildren, Finnlee and Rennlee Babb, Braden, Katie, Emma, Ella, and soon-to-arrive baby Oliver Meyer, and Miller Anthony Draege. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Jean Draege; one son, Tony Draege; and two sisters and brothers-in-law, Bernice Breeze and her husband Verne, and Nelda Eater and her husband Marlon. Funeral services for Mr. Draege will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, August 22, 2019, at Boyd Christian Church, with Joe Jones officiating. Burial will follow at Boyd Cemetery. A Visitation will be held Wednesday, August 21, 2019, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., at Osborn Funeral Home in Dix. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Boyd Christian Church and will be accepted at the service, or by mail to Osborn Funeral Home, P.O. Box 130, Dix, Illinois 62830. Online condolences may be made at www.osbornfuneral.com, or on the funeral home's Facebook page.