James Drach Obituary (1945

James Allen Drach of Emington Illinois, died peacefully on Dec. 2, 2020 from COVID-19 at the age of 75 years old. Throughout his lifetime "Jim" was quite the colorful character as well as a habitual collector of many unusual artifacts; evocative obituaries and wedding photos from local newspapers, arrowheads discovered in his corn and soybean fields, black rubber semi-truck straps found alongside country roads, bizarre Christmas cards, heaps of dilapidated farm equipment, local stories of friends and neighbors, and good old-fashioned grudges every now and again. Although cantankerous and ornery to the bitter end, he will be missed sorely by all who knew and loved him through it all. Jim was born August 25, 1945, the son of Doris Agnes (Niessen) Drach and Clifford Vincent Drach, and was raised on the family farm in Saunemin Illinois. He was the second oldest of seven children. Brothers: Terrence (Becky) Drach, Roger "Buck" (Kelly Green) Drach, and Dan Drach. Sisters, Diane Nagy, Marcia Pickett, and Paula (Mark) Madison. Jim was born weeks after the end of World War II and attended a one room school house, the Union Township School in Emington IL. He graduated from Saunemin High School in 1963 and shortly thereafter enlisted in the US Army. He was stationed in Huntsville AL, Germany and South Korea working on the Hawk Missile System. He returned home safely and met Patricia Ann (Whiteman) Drach while they were working together at the Joliet Arsenal. Jim and Pat married June of 1973 and had 3 children: Jennifer Drach (married to Jason Kamler) of Janesville WI, Jeffrey Drach of Lombard, IL and Matthew Drach of Janesville WI. Jim's wife, Patricia, died tragically in the fall of 1985 while driving home from teaching school. Jim continued to raise their three children on his farm in Emington, IL with the constant love and support of his mother, "Dorie" Drach and their dear family friends and neighbors Don and Marcia Bunting. In 1996, Jim married Marcia (Beiswanger) Drach, Dwight IL, whereupon the couple intertwined Jim's three children and Marcia's two children. Devon (Jeremy) Crouch and Brian Trainor. The newly formed family affectionately decided they had truly became a "Brady Bunch" of sorts. Jim is survived by his wife of 24 years Marcia Drach, their five children and their seven grandchildren, Pierce Crouch, Carson Crouch, William Trainor, Brooklin Trainor, Samuel Kamler, Henry Kamler and Lucy Kamler. Jim retired from farming in 2018, enjoyed a lifetime of traveling, skiing, euchre playing in many different card clubs, and storytelling. Jim was also the Commander for the Flynn Eich VFW Post #451, a lifetime Farm Bureau member, a 4th degree Knight of Columbus member, Pontiac Illinois, a former President of the Parish Council at St. Patrick's Church in Dwight, Illinois, a School Board member at St. Paul's School in Odell, IL, the Union Township County Supervisor, and an active volunteer for Operation S.O.S. in Dwight IL. A private burial ceremony at the St. Mary's of Loretto Catholic Cemetery Emington, IL will be held next week. Due to the pandemic, a Catholic Mass, wake and a gathering of friends and family will be announced and held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make any charitable donations to the Flynn Eich VFW Post #451 %Lee Bunting 28542 N 2900 East Rd. Dwight IL 60420 or donor's choice.