DRABBE, Dick (Dirk)

Today's News-Herald, Lake Havasu City, AZ - Published Wednesday, February 15, 2012 - Dick (Dirk) Drabbe May 11, 1918 — Aug. 2, 2011 My darling husband Dick Drabbe, at the age of 93, peacefully passed away at Port Huron Hospital, Port Huron, Mich., Aug. 2, 2011. He was preceded in death by his parents, Isabella and Neal; sister Jeanne; first wife, Edith; and son, Neal. Devastated by his loss are his wife of 28 years, Faith (McCracken) Drabbe, of Thorndale, Ont.; daughter, Jeanne (Patrick) Padovan, of Olympia, Wash.; daughter-in-law, Barbara Drabbe of Overland, Kan.; grandchildren, Dirk (Gaffney) Barnett, of New York, N.Y.; Kiva (Dave) Hutton, of Las Vegas, Nev., and Alex (Laura) Barnett, of Seattle, Wash; great-grandchildren, Bohdi and Massimo Barnett and Sawyer Hutton. Also saddened by the loss are brothers-in-law, Norm (Trish) McCracken, of Washago, Ont., and Bob (Beth) McCracken, of Guelph, Ont.; sister-in-law, Shirley (Bill) Tarleton, of Haliburton, Ont.; his other Canadian relatives and his many, many friends. Dick was an artisan and very proud of being a fifth-generation Dutch baker. The family owned Drabbe’s Bakery in Monroe and later Dick and his first wife, Edith, opened Belle’s Bakery in Pittsburg, Pa. He love to fish and hunt in his beloved Michigan. In his youth, he played first base in the America minor baseball league. He was an avid photographer and golfer, shooting his age at 85 and 86. He was a life member of the Masons in Monroe and a member of the Eagles in Lake Havasu City. According to Dick’s wishes, his body has been donated to medical research. A celebration of his life will take place at the Rec. Hall of the Islander RV Resort Sunday, from 1 to 3 p.m., with sharing time at 2 p.m. Contributions on his behalf may be given to the Animal Love Foundation at www.animallovefoundation.org or the Salvation Army.