Submitted by: Dan Rich

Gowanga Draves

Nov. 23, 1919 - Jan. 6, 2002

South Bend Tribune 1/8/2002

Gowanga "Wanda" Draves, 82, of West Ewing Avenue, Mishawaka, Ind., passed away after a lengthy illness at 1 a.m. on Sunday, Jan. 6, in the Ironwood Health and Rehabilitation Center, South Bend, Ind. Wanda was born on Nov. 23, 1919, in Mishawaka, to the late Dennis T. and Stella E. (Himes) Harris. She was also preceded in death by a daughter, Myrna Marlene Draves on Feb. 7, 1937; a son, Henry Draves Jr. on April 14, 1974; a sister, Marie Janke; and by two brothers, Conn and Harry Harris.

On April 11, 1936, Wanda married Henry Albert Draves Sr. He also preceded her in death on Nov. 9, 1978. Loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend, Wanda is survived by three sons, Dennis Dean Draves of Osceola, Ind., and Harold "Spider" and Fredrick Lynn Draves, both of Mishawaka.

Visitation will be from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today, Jan. 8, in the Thallemer-Goethals Funeral Home. Services will be in the funeral home at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, Jan. 9, with Rev. Jack Cary officiating. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery, Mishawaka. Memorial contributions may be made to the Shriner's Hospital, Chicago, or to St. Jude's Children's Hospital, Memphis, Tenn. Mom will be remembered by family and friends as a warm, loving, colorful woman.