Richard E. Drake II, 39, of Taylorsville, died at 3:33 p.m. Monday, November 1, 2010, at Columbus Regional Hospital Emergency Room.

Richard was employed with the Bartholomew County Sheriff's Office as a correction officer and was serving as a lieutenant with German Township Volunteer Fire Department. He was a member of Garden City Church of Christ and Columbus Emmaus Community and was a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps.

The funeral will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday at Garden City Church of Christ with Virgil Clotfelter officiating.

Family and friends may call at the church from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday and from 9 a.m. until service time Friday.

Burial will be at New Hope Christian Church Cemetery with military rites conducted by Bartholomew County Veterans Color Guard.

Arrangements were made by Barkes, Weaver & Glick Funeral Home.

Memorial contributions may be made to The Wounded Warrior Project.

Online condolences may be sent to the Drake family and a video tribute may be viewed at www.barkesweaverglick.com.

Richard was born in Shelbyville August 4, 1971, the son of Richard E. Drake and Alfie F. Franklin.

He married Christina L. "Christy" Barker, October 3, 1992.

Survivors include his father, Richard E. Drake (Christy) of St. Pete Beach, FL; his wife, Christy L. Drake of Taylorsville; children, Andrew C. Barker, Elizabeth E. Drake, Eric S. Drake and Abigail D. Drake, all of Taylorsville; and his grandmother, Ruth Franklin of Shelbyville.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Alfie F. Franklin.

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Rick E. Drake II was laid to rest Friday at New Hope Christian Cemetery in northern Bartholomew County.

The German Township firefighter and corrections officer for the Bartholomew County Sheriff's Department died suddenly Monday while working at the fire station where he served. He was 39. (note: he wasn't working, they were on their way home when he started having chest pains and the fire station was closer)

After a service at Garden City Church of Christ, dozens of emergency vehicles and more than 100 cars accompanied the fire engine carrying Drake's body through downtown Columbus, and up to Taylorsville.

The engine stopped for a moment at Bartholomew County Jail and the German Township Fire Station before arriving at the cemetery.

In downtown Columbus, Drake's fellow county employees of varied posts, city workers and others braved a cold, whipping wind to stand along the street and salute Drake one last time.

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The funeral for Richard E. Drake II, 39, of Taylorsville was held Friday at Garden City Church of Christ with Virgil Clotfelter officiating, special memories were given by Andrew C. Barker and Elizabeth E. Drake. Burial was at New Hope Christian Church Cemetery, Honor Guard, Pallbearers and Honorary Pallbearers were the men and women of German Township Volunteer Fire Department and Bartholomew County Sheriffs Department.


German Township Volunteer Fire Department served at Helmet and Flag bearers. Military rites were conducted by the Bartholomew County Veterans Color and the flag was presented to Richard's father, Richard E. Drake.

The Indiana Flag was presented to his son, Eric, a medal was presented to his son, Andy, the Sheriff's flag was presented to his daughter, Abby, a fire coat name was presented to his daughter, Elizabeth, and a fire helmet was presented to Richard' wife, Christy.


Dispatch placed call over radios and pagers. A helicopter fly over took place at the bagpipers played "Amazing Grace" and The Marine Corps Hymn.


Richard died Monday, Nov. 1, 2010, at Columbus Regional Hospital Emergency Room