Eleanor “Ellie” Draper, 82, of Roann, Indiana, died at 9:41 pm, Sunday, March 21, 2021 at her home. She was born October 12, 1938 in Wabash, Indiana, to James and Vera Friederika (Gray) Van Buskirk.
Ellie was a 1956 graduate of Roann High School. She attended Purdue University, Earlham College, received her bachelor’s degree in 1960, from Manchester College, and her Masters degree in 1966 from Ball State University. Ellie was a teacher, and owned and operated Van Buskirk Insurance Agency in Roann from 1985 – 2000. She was a member of Olive Branch Church, and the Olive Branch Bible Study. She also belonged to the Roann Community Heritage, the Happy Homemakers Home Economics Club, and the Valley Rich Red Hat Society. Ellie was recognized as Indiana Homemaker of the Year Top Ten. She served as Chairperson of the Roann Sesquicentennial Committee in 2003, and volunteered at the Roann Carnegie Public Library and the Stockdale Mill Association. Ellie enjoyed her children, grandchildren, family reunions, nature walks, reading, sewing, flower gardens, bird and squirrel watching, and sports.
She is survived by three children, Jeff (Beth) Draper of Noblesville, Indiana, Jennifer Draper of Warsaw, Indiana, and Jeannine Draper Cooley of Roann; pseudo daughter, Debbie (David) Williams of Roann; four grandchildren, Rebecca (Drew) Burcham of Huntington, Indiana, Kyle Draper of Noblesville, Paige Cooley of Frankfort, Indiana, and Lauren Draper of Noblesville; six great-grandchildren, Karter Stafford, Korbin Stafford, Kenzi Stafford, Preston Burcham, Xander Burcham, and Isabella Draffen, all of Huntington; and her sister, Priscilla (Ross) Burdge of Akron, Indiana. She was preceded in death by her parents, and a great-grandson, Lawson Garcia.
Graveside services and burial will be 10:00 am Saturday, March 27, 2021, at the Roann Community Cemetery, with David Laborde officiating. Friends may call 5-8 pm Thursday, at Grandstaff-Hentgen Roann, Chapel, 335 S. Chippewa Road, Roann, Indiana.
Preferred memorials are the Roann Carnegie Public Library or Roann Community Heritage.
The memorial guest book for Ellie may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.
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