Charles Franklin Draffen

February 20, 1927 - February 21, 2017

Charles Franklin Draffen, age 90, of Versailles, passed away Tuesday, February 21, 2017, at Capital Region Medical Center in Jefferson City. He was born February 20, 1927, in Versailles, the son of the late Charles William and Fannie Taylor (Sims) Draffen. On October 7, 1951, at the Versailles United Methodist Church, he was united in marriage to his surviving wife, Nell (Shepp) Draffen. Charles was a veteran of the United States Army having served in WWII. He was honorably discharged in 1946, with the rank of Staff Sergeant. Following his military service, he was a builder for forty-four years. In addition, he spent much of his time farming. He enjoyed woodworking and in his younger years, hunting, fishing and bee keeping. He was a member of the Versailles United Methodist Church and has served as president of the Freedom Cemetery Board since 1989. In addition to his wife, Nell, he is survived by his sons, Kenny Draffen and wife Beth and John Draffen and wife Vanessa all of Versailles; grandsons, Travis Draffen of Versailles and Ryan Draffen and fiancée Mindy Miller of Springfield, Missouri; sisters-in-law, Janet Chase and husband Mike, Sally Jones and husband Bob and Joan Shepp; cousin, Kathy Coffman and husband Kenneth and many other relatives and friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother-in-law, Hiram Shepp and a cousin, John F. “Jack” Draffen. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, February 23rd, at the Kidwell-Garber Funeral Home in Versailles. Graveside services and interment with full military honors will follow in the Versailles Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., Thursday, at the funeral home. Memorial contributions are suggested to the Versailles United Methodist Church. Arrangements are under the direction and care of the Kidwell-Garber Funeral Home of Versailles.