Rev. Raymond Henry Draffin was the son of James Leroy and Gertrude "Gertie" E. (Woodams) Draffin. He was the husband of Ruth (Loring) Draffin. They were married May 30, 1932. Ruth died May 17, 1990. Rev. Draffin was a minister in the Methodist Episcopal Church/The Methodist Church/United Methodist Church: Erie Conference 1927 Genesee (now Western New York) Conference 1932 F 1934 Western New York Conference 1965. He served in the US Army during World War 2.

Memoir

United Methodist Church

Western New York Conference

1972

Obituary

Unidentified Newsclipping

May 28, 1972

DRAFFIN.--Memorial services for the late Rev. Raymond H. Draffin age 68, pastor of the County Line United Methodist Church occurred at his home here, 45 Lake Avenue unexpectedly Sunday, will be held at the County Line United Methodist Church Friday at 11 a.m. The service will be conducted by the Rev. F. Ray Hazlett, pastor of the Lyndonville United Methodist Church assisted by the Rev. Joseph Shipman, superintendent of the Batavia District. He had been in poor health following a heart attack suffered several months ago.

There will be no calling hours at the Smythe Funeral Home, North Main Street, where the body is resting. Funeral services will be private and burial will be at the convenience of the family in Lynhaven Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the County Line United Methodist Church.

He was born in Rochester May 25, 1904. His parents were the late James L. and Gertie Woodhams Draffin. A graduate of Genesee Wesleyan Seminary and Allegany College, he studied for a year at Garrett Biblical Institute and was graduated from Colgate Rochester Divinity School. He was ordained in June 1932.

The Rev. Draffin served as pastor of the Lyndonville Methodist church from 1947-1954. Other pastorates include Penfield, Livonia, Kendall, Springville, Lockport, Hilton, Olean, Barker and Corn Hill Methodist church of Rochester. He retired from the ministry in 1964 but had been serving the County Line Church on a part-time basis for the past few years. He served as a chaplain in World War II for 21 months in the European Theatre of Operations. He was a member of Yates Lodge F & M.

He married Ruth Loring of Hingham, Massachusetts, May 30, 1932 who survives him. Other survivors include three daughters, Mrs. John (Barbara) Straube, Webster, New York; Mrs. Robert (Marcia) Foss, Lyndonville and Mrs. Ronald (Miriam) Christian, Henrietta, New York; 10 grandchildren; a sister, Mrs. W. Clifford Laundry, Rochester, New York and several nieces and nephews.