Donna Jeanne Draffen

Donna Jeanne Draffen, 89, of Latham, Missouri, passed away Wednesday, April 12th, 2017, at the Moniteau Care Center, in California, Missouri.

Mrs. Draffen was born February 25th, 1928, in Indianapolis, Indiana, a daughter of Lytel “Bud” and Lillian Applegate Schriefer. On November 3rd, 1953, she married her beloved husband William Floyd “Bobby” Draffen. This past year, they celebrated their 63rd wedding anniversary.

She is survived by a son, William Lee Draffen, of Tipton, and his wife Tammy, a daughter, Karen Kay Nelson, of Centertown, and her husband Greg, a daughter, Lori Lynn Moon, of Versailles, a daughter Debra Jeanne Fulks, of Latham, and her husband Chuck, a daughter, Sandra Jo Draffen, of Corona, California, a sister Polly Dunia, of El Monte, California, brother, Rex Schriefer, of La Verne, California. As did her husband, she held a very special place in her heart for her 12 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, and step grand and great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband just sixteen days prior. She was also preceded in death by her parents, a brother, Sam Schriefer, of Phoenix, Arizona, and a sister, Ruth Grimm, formerly of Glendora, California.

Mrs. Draffen graduated in 1946 from Southport High School in Indianapolis, Indiana. After high school, along with her parents and siblings, she moved to Baldwin Park, California, where from 1946 – 1951 she worked as a telephone operator for Associated Telephone Company. Later, in 1951, she served in the United States Navy, working as a telecommunicator at the Treasure Island Naval Station in California. There, she met her husband, married, and was honorably discharged, from the Navy, a Korean War veteran.

In early married life, she was a homemaker, raising five children, before returning to work in 1964, when she worked as a secretary for the Communication Workers of America, CWA, in Covina, California. In 1978, she and her husband moved to Tipton to be near his childhood home of Cotton, Missouri. In 2004, they relocated to Latham, Missouri, where she enjoyed photography, birdwatching, crossword puzzles, and the peace and quiet of life on the farm. Her favorite things in life included taking care of her grandchildren, hosting family dinners, garaging, and when in good health she spent many hours volunteering her time and love at the Tipton Manor. She was also a member of the Catholic Church.

The family will hold a private graveside service on Monday, April 17th, 1:30pm, at the Masonic Cemetery, in Tipton, Missouri, with full military honors and a dual flag folding ceremony. Chaplain Bill Smart officiating.

Memorials are suggested to Hospice Compassus or the Show Me Honor Flight.

Services under the direction of Meisenheimer Funeral Home, Tipton, Missouri.

Online condolences may be submitted at www.meisenheimerfuneralhome.com