Donald E. DravesAGE: 81 •Mr. Donald E. Draves, died July 1, 2017, surrounded by family, at St. Vincent's Hospital in Indianapolis, IN. Mr. Draves was born on June 11, 1936 in Oradell, NJ to Edward and Katherine Draves. He was a graduate of Dumont High School. Donald and his wife raised their family in Long Branch, NJ and moved to Bluffton, SC upon retirement. He loved his family, his country and a good kosher dill pickle. A husband, a father, a grandfather, uncle, friend and a proud veteran, Mr. Draves created a lasting legacy that will be carried indefinitely by the family he leaves behind. Surviving are his daughter, Sharon (Robert Disko), of Carmel, IN; son, Scott of Sugar Grove, IL; daughter, Donna (Jason Jacobsen), of Sugar Grove, IL; granddaughters Meghan and Larkin; and grandsons, Andrew and Reid. He is also survived by his sister, Winifred (Draves) Witt and his brother, Roger Draves. He will be missed by his extended family and friends also.Mr. Draves was also proud of his extended family in the veteran community. Retired from both the U.S. Navy and the Department of Defense, Mr. Draves was very active with his brethren of the USS Forrestal and USS Bainbridge, attending every reunion possible and maintaining the camaraderie of his shipmates to his final day. Mr. Draves loved collecting first day covers and baseball hats, military memorabilia, eating out and the Chicago Cubs. A life full of family and adventure was Don's dream and reality. His retirement years spent with travels from Italy to Mexico to across the USA. His greatest trip now is to meet the love of his life, Veronica, "Ronnie," Draves who preceded him in death. May this last trip remind us all that life was meant to be lived and loved. A memorial service will be held 11:00 AM. Sunday, July 9, 2017 at Moss Family Funeral Home 209 South Batavia Ave. Batavia, IL. Visitation will be held from 9:00 A.M. until the time of the service at the funeral home. A private interment will be held in Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, IL. Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers, may be directed to Pets for Vets-Chicagoland 6642 W. Wyandot Drive Palo Heights, IL 60463 or http://www.petsforvets.com/donate-chicagoland-il/