Wesley Warren Draves, 87, of Niles passed away Monday, Dec. 28, 2009 at Lakeland Hospital in Niles.

He was born Jan. 27, 1922 in LaPorte, Ind. to the late Emelia and Michael Draves.
On June 5, 1943 in South Bend, he married Louise Vitale, who survives.

Wesley was a U.S. Army veteran, serving in World War II and had fought the Battle of the Bulge, Remagen Bridge, the Rhineland and Ruhr Pocket. He was a recipient of the European African Middle Eastern Theater Medal and three Bronze Service Stars. He was a member of the former American Legion Post 26 in Niles and was a member of the VFW Post 360 in Mishawaka.

He is survived by his wife, Louise; a daughter, Deborah Denise (Terry ) Davis of Niles; a son, Gregory Allen Draves of South Bend; four grandchildren, Tim, Tony and Darren Short, and Gregory (Linda) Draves; six great-grandchildren; a sister, Ruth Gray of Burbank, Calif.; and several nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents; three sisters, Helen Hartman, Lola Ridenour and Mary Vitale; and a brother, Norman Draves.

Funeral services for Wesley will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, Dec. 31 in the Welsheimer Family Funeral Home, 521 N. William St., South Bend, where friends may call from 4 to 6 p.m. today and one hour prior to services on Thursday.

Entombment with military honors will be at Riverview Cemetery Mausoleum, South Bend, following funeral services.

Family and friends may leave e-mail condolences at www.welsheimer.com.