FARMER CITY — Stanley Louis Drake, 61, who grew up in Farmer City, died suddenly and unexpectedly of a ruptured cerebral aneurysm on Sept. 21, 2024, at his home outside of Republic, Wash., with his dog Bruno keeping vigil. Following his written instruction, he has been cremated.
His mother, Marylou Gillis, died just eight days before Stan. A joint celebration of life service will be at Trinity Community Fellowship, 1300 W. Clinton Ave., Farmer City, on Thursday, Oct. 17, at 11 a.m. with visitation at 10 a.m. Stan’s burial will follow immediately in Maple Grove Cemetery, Farmer City, and is open to anyone who wants to attend. Family will continue on to Arcola for Marylou’s private burial.
Memorial donations are suggested to Blue Ridge JFL (PO Box 142, Mansfield, IL 61854) or to 7th Day Church of God Republic (70 Gold Mountain Road, Republic, WA 99166).
Stan was born in Bloomington on June 17, 1963, the youngest of the four children of Richard and Marylou Seaman Drake. He graduated from Farmer City-Mansfield High School in 1981, and later from the University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign. Just a few years after Stan graduated from the UI, a newborn named Travis entered his life in need of a father figure, and Stan lovingly filled that role for the rest of his life. On May 3, 2008, Stan married Colleen LeMagie, thus joining her family of twin daughters, their husbands and their children.
Neighbor Tuck Whitehouse introduced the Drake family to boating when Stan was an infant and it was a big part of his life. Stan spent untold hours with family and friends boating and waterskiing. Vacations at Lake of the Ozarks were an indelible part of his life, and he bought his own home on the lake.
The Boy Scouts taught Stan life lessons, including camping in all seasons and living in the woods. At 13, he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. Serving his community continued as a volunteer firefighter when he lived in Broadlands.
Stan loved dogs and got his first dog while in high school. He became very good at training dogs, especially large dogs, and sharing his life with them. Football was an important part of Stan’s life, playing linebacker/fullback on his FCM team that lost almost every game until his senior year, when he and his fellow team captains led their Cinderella team to the conference championship. Stan went on to help inaugurate Farmer City’s Junior Football League (JFL) in the late 1980s as a coach who made football fun for the young players. He continued that fun-but-disciplined approach as assistant football coach at Heritage High School before moving to Lake of the Ozarks. His mantra was “There is no I in team.” He also cheered on the Fighting Illini and Chicago Bears through their bad years as well as good.
People were drawn to Stan and enjoyed being in his presence with his unique sense of humor, playfulness, intelligence and extensive vocabulary. He enjoyed doing things for other people, such as donning a Santa suit and beard to visit people of all ages. But appearances can be deceiving, and Stan followed some dark paths in his life. After much effort, he was able to put alcohol behind him and was pleased to receive his 20-year sobriety coin a couple of years ago. Stan wandered spiritually until finding his way back to the Lord just a few years ago thanks to friends in Republic. Though he didn’t attend church weekly, he diligently studied the Bible and devotions daily and used what he learned to point others to Christ’s redeeming love.
Stan is survived by Bruno; his wife, Colleen Drake of Republic, Wash.; her daughters, Leah (Bill) Sandlian of Buckley, Wash., and Annemarie Baker of Seabeck, Wash.; her grandsons, Keith Sandlian, currently of Buckley, Wash., before starting his U.S. Air Force assignment, and Kaleb Sandlian, stationed in South Korea with the U.S. Army; and her granddaughters, Chloe and Claire Baker of Seabeck, Wash. Also surviving are Travis Madix, his wife, Brittney and their daughter, Raylynn of Indianapolis. Stan loved being a grandfather. Also surviving are his sister, Stephanie Drake of Farmer City; sister-in-law, Pat Reilly Drake of Champaign; brother and sister-in-law, Stuart and Diana Drake of Cape Coral, Fla., plus their four children and four grandchildren, Martin and Carmen Drake and daughter, Muriel of Fort Collins, Colo., Clayton and Sarah Drake and children, Skyler, Bexley and Auggie of Lake Ozark, Mo., and Nicole Drake and Noah Drake, both of Cape Coral, Fla. Many cousins also have special memories of Stanley, the youngest cousin on both sides of our family.
Stan was predeceased by his brother, Stephen Paul Drake; father and stepmother, Richard K. and Joy Drake; mother and stepfather, Marylou and John G. Gillis; and all of his aunts and uncles.
The family are grateful to Calvert-Belangee- Bruce Funeral Home of Farmer City for their assistance.
NG 10/14/2024
