Ernest Vernon Drake, 87, passed away on August 8, 2014.
Ernest was born July 3, 1927, in Somers to Vernon and Anna Keller Drake. He was the fourth of nine children. At the age of 6, the family moved to what was to become the family farm on Whitefish River.
Ernest married Wonita Drake in 1950, and to this union were born three children, Edward Ernest Drake (who passed away in childbirth), Shellene Bernice Reese and David Ernest Drake.
Ernest loved the outdoors, from jobs loading boxcars in Kalispell, construction on the Hungry Horse Dam, Montana Saw Service and Columbia Falls Aluminum Company, from which he retired in 1992. After retirement he went to hauling logs and working with his son David. He had many hobbies, gardening, fishing, and especially enjoyed raising his Hereford cows, along with his trips to Alaska.
Ernest and Wonita were very proud and excited in 2009, when they were baptized at the Faith Family Life Church in Kalispell.
Ernest was preceded in death by his son, Edward Drake; grandson, Chris Drake; great-grandson, Lukas Leigh; parents; four sisters, Eleanor Cordell, Evelyn Witt, Emily Broughton and Elaine Hamilton; two brothers, Elmer Drake and Everett Drake; and also numerous aunts, uncles and cousins.
Ernest is survived by his wife, Wonita Drake; daughter, Shellene Reese of Kalispell; son, David Drake and wife, Cindy, of Columbia Falls; grandchildren, Chad Noziska and Sara Noziska of Kalispell, Laci and husband, Eric Burk, of Kalispell, and Desiree Drake of Columbia Falls; great-grandchildren, Shane Noziska, Dalton Leigh, Drake Burk and Brycen Burk, all of Kalispell; and brothers, Edwin Drake of Somers and Eugene Drake of Libby.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Montana Blind and Low Vision Service in honor of his wife Wonita.
A celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 15 at Buffalo Hill Funeral Home with urn burial following at Glacier Memorial Gardens. A reception will be held at the Birch Grove Grange Hall following the committal.
Buffalo Hill Funeral Home and Crematory is caring for the family.