Vivan R. Shrake Obituary (1927 - 2018)

Vivan R. Shrake, 91 of Pana passed away peacefully on Saturday, July 21, 2018 at Heritage Health with his loving family by his side. He was born February 26, 1927 on the family farm in rural Holiday, the son of George and Mary (Taylor) Shrake. Vivan married his high school sweetheart, June Shields on Easter Sunday, April 1, 1945 at the Cowden Methodist church, and this past Easter Sunday, April 1, 2018 they celebrated 73 years of marriage. Vivan had proudly served his Country in the United States Army during WW II. Early in life, he had worked at Oliver in Shelbyville until he went to work as an over the road truck driver for Liberty Foundry Corporation, St. Louis, MO. He and June regularly attended First Baptist Church in Pana and he was a member of the American Legion and the Teamsters Union. He loved working on his family farm and was lovingly known as "Mr. Fix It" as he maintained his numerous rental properties. He shared many days, and sometimes long nights, with June rooting on the St. Louis Cardinals until the very last out of each ballgame. He also enjoyed "wintering" in Florida, taking family trips and fishing in Northern Minnesota when visiting his in-laws. Most of all, he loved his family and supporting his kids and grandkids at all sporting events, especially baseball and basketball. In addition to his wife of 73 years, he is survived by his daughter Brenda (Roger) Workman of Moweaqua, sons Kevin (Kathy) Shrake of Chatham and Joey (Linda) Shrake of Pana, 6 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and 3 sisters. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Wednesday, July 25, 2018 at McCracken-Dean Funeral Home with Pastor Nathaniel Kealen officiating. Graveside services will be held at 2:00 PM on Wednesday at Bob Doan Cemetery, Beecher City with Military Rites conducted by the Pana Veterans Honor Guard. Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM until the time of services on Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested and may be made in Vivan's honor to Tenleigh's Troops Fund (checks payable to June Shrake), c/o People's Bank & Trust, 200 S. Locust St., Pana, IL 62557, to support his great-granddaughter, Tenleigh, and her family with medical expenses and will be accepted by McCracken-Dean Funeral Home, who is assisting the family.