Michael John Draper

[Ronald Pellerito]

I am sad to tell everyone of the passing of Mike Draper. his funeral will be saturday at Christler funeral home Houghton Lake Michigan.

[Rod Chelius]

RIP brother Seawolf.

IYAOYAS

[kid purington]

               Rest Easy SeaWolf.....

[Bear]

RIP Brother.. Thoughts and prayers to the family.

Respectfully,
Bear

[Dan Arnes]

Sorry for your loss Gilda and family.



Obituary

Another Obituary

Rest in peace Seawolf.

Dan

[Morrie Steen]

Mike Draper was a fearless door gunner in Det 5 during 1967-1968.  We flew together on hundreds of missions that year. The last time I saw him was at the HA(L)-3 Seawolf reunion in Charleston, SC in 2004.He had a knack for telephoning me out of the blue when I least expected to hear from him, like when the University of Florida played Michigan State University for the college basketball national championship (he was from Michigan, I was from Florida). Mike suffered from PTSD for many years which interfered greatly with his daily life. May he rest in Peace!

[Dan Arnes]

Here is another Obituary with information on services;

Funeral Services Information

Visitation: Friday, Dec. 26, 2014, 4:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Service: Saturday, Dec. 27, 2014, 12 pm

Dan

[Dan Arnes]

The Obituaries don't mention it with his Association Memberships, but he was also a LIFE Member of the Seawolf Association.

Dan

[Ralph Schwartz]

Mike was one of Det 5's finest gunners.  We flew many a flight together.  When I talk of my times in HAL-3 I always mention Mike.  I will continue to do so with fond memories.  To Mike,  Bravo Zulu.  Well done.

[David Smale]

Our condolences to Gilda and her family. Since time was of the essence with the holidays I have ordered the flowers per Barb Ely's instructions locally and they will be there from the Seawolves an hour before visitation this evening with the Message "Fairwinds and Following Seas to our fallen brother Mike Draper."

[Dan Arnes]

Thank You Barb & David!

[Mike Dobson]

Thanks Dave , it is definitely important to the families to have Seawolves in attendance ...... and being obvious is not bad ---- to a vets family, that green shirt and the Seawolf patch surpasses a Tuxedo any day !  Add a Beret if available, and no top hat ever looked better ---   Thanks Dave

[Jim Plona]

Mike,RIP,   ...prayers are with you.

Jim and Sharon

Our thoughts and prayers are for Gilda & family during this difficult time.  Rest In Peace Brother.

[kid purington]

[David Smale]

Ron Pellerito and I were able to attend Mike's service yesterday. We were warmely welcomed by all. We participated in the placing of the poppies and the honor guard was outstanding. The playing of Taps is always powerful and more so when it is a farewell. Gilda and the family was so happy with both the flowers and our attendance. It was very clear that Mike was well liked by everyone and as Mr. Bobcat he was laid to rest in his Houghton Lake Bobcat hoodie.  It was appropriate to have the service in the High School auditorium.

Mike's friends from his service organizations welcomed us as brothers. Gilda's asked if I would do a reading for a young neighbor girl who had written her 8th grade essay about one of her Hero's, Mike Draper. (She did not think she could get through it emotionally). I said I would be happy to help. It was a wonderful tribute and although the stage lights made it hard for me to see the audience clearly I am told there were very few dry eyes.

This was my first attendance at a brother Seawolf's service and I had some apprehension since I did not know Mike. I was grateful Ron was with me. It was a sad but gratifying experinece for us both. Fairwinds and fairseas to our fallen brother Mike Draper.

[Denise Kappen]

My name is Denise Kappen, Michael Jonh Draper was a family friend / adopted dad to me. I just wanted to post that we are having a memorial Dinner in his memory on Jan 21st at the Houghton Lake Michigan's Big Boy restaurant all are welcome to show. Not only was he a wonderful man who was dedicated to family community but he was an avid veteran who showed his true Sea Wolf spirit and would have mad even God Proud. He will be missed more than anyone can know!

[Dan Arnes]

We are sorry for your loss as well Denise!

And we thank you for the invite to the Memorial Dinner. I hope there are some Michigan area brothers who can attend.

[Bill Rutledge]

David and Ron thanks for being there to represent the Seawolves,