Norman E. Drudge, 82, Pierceton, passed away at 3 a.m. Sept. 22, 2013, at Whitley Parkview Hospital, Columbia City. He was born Jan. 24, 1931, in Kosciusko County, to Orville L. and Mary Jane Stickler Drudge. In 1956 he married Vera A. Cole, who survives in Pierceton. He worked for Sun Metal Products in Warsaw for 46 years, retiring in 1996 as the shipping foreman. He was a 1947 graduate of Claypool High School, served in the Army National Guard during Korea, and he loved to farm. He was also a member of the North Webster American Legion Post 253. Also surviving are his son, Dean (and spouse Dawn) Drudge, Butler; three daughters: Darlene (and spouse Ronald) Crawford, Pierceton; Dianna (and spouse Patrick) Jones, Claypool; and Deana (and spouse Brian) Tusing, Warsaw; seven grandchildren: Nicole (and spouse Zachary) Osborn, Dubuque, Iowa; Paige Drudge, Butler; Kaila and Kirsten Crawford, Pierceton; Emerson and Ian Jones, Claypool; and Cameron Tusing, Warsaw; one brother, Rex (and spouse Alma) Drudge, Mentone; two sisters, Marie (and spouse Lloyd) Applegate and Martha (and spouse George) Klinger, all of Warsaw. He was preceded in death by his parents. Services will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, with Pastor Jeff Pfeifer officiating. Burial will follow in Graceland Cemetery, Claypool, after which friends and family are invited to the Claypool United Methodist Church, 302 E. Section St., Claypool, for a reception and funeral dinner. Calling is from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home. ***** Memorials to the Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko County, 3489 E. 100S, Pierceton, IN 46562. Condolences may be sent via www.redpathfruthfuneralhome.com
