MR. LeROY DRAYTON Age 70, of Merrillville, IN, passed away on Wednesday, February 23, 2005. Well known in the Gary community and surrounding areas, Mr. Drayton was an ordained minister and was lovingly known as "Preacher Man," "Doc," "Fantastique," and "The Pizza Man." He spent a brief stint as a semi-professional football player for the Calumet Steelers. He was also a U.S. Army veteran and retired from Inland Steel in East Chicago. He also spent 20 years as an assistant and chauffeur to former Mayor Richard Gordon Hatcher. Mr. Drayton also worked for Holiday Magic, Steed Oil, Celebrity Jewelry and Presto Pride. His entrepreneu-rial spirit eventually led him to market his "God's Fantastiques Mission - Fish & Chips," "Dominoes Pizza," a popular Limousine service, and his signature "Hallelujah Juice." Mr. Drayton has received numerous community awards including a Humanitarian Award for his outstanding work in the community, presented to him by the Gary Educators for Christ. Mr. Drayton graduated from Jasper-Henderson High School in Chatham, Louisiana, Class of 1955. He also attended the Chicago Institute of Technology and Indiana University. Most recently, he was the recipient of an honorary Doctoral degree in Theology from GMO School of Theology in 2003. He is preceded in death by a brother, Zeke Drayton Jr. Survived by parents, Zeke and Gussie Drayton of Clay, LA; wife, Claudia Adams Drayton; 2 sons, LeRoi Andre Drayton of Anderson, SC, and Martin (LaRhonda) Drayton of Houston, TX; 1 grandchild, Terrell Drayton; 4 brothers, Robert (Shirley) Drayton, Zeke Jr. (Linda) Drayton, Nathaniel (Mary) Drayton, and Larry Drayton, all of Gary, IN; 2 sisters, Melvie Ree Drayton of Gary, IN, and Irene (Herman) Hodges of Chicago, IL; and a host of nieces, nephews, godsons, goddaughters, and plenty of other family and friends in Christ. A visitation will be held Thursday, March 3, 2005, from 12 noon until 8:00 p.m. at the Guy & Allen Funeral Home, 2959 W. 11th Ave., Gary, IN. Friends may also visit the family on March 3rd from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Guy & Allen Funeral Home. The Funeral Services will be held on Friday, March 4, 2005, at 11:00 a.m. at St. John Baptist Church, 2457 Massachusetts Street. Rev. Raymond McDonald officiating. The family requests contributions be made to the Davis Memorial AME Church, 4137 W. 21st Ave, Gary, IN 46404 (Contact: Rev. Sanders at 219-938-8539), in memory of the deceased. Professional services rendered by Guy & Allen Funeral Directors, Inc. (Published in the Northwest Indiana Post-Tribune from 2/28/2005 - 3/2/2005.)