Obituary of Ronald W. Drachler

Ronald Walter Drachler Sr. Ronald W. Drachler Sr., 87, of Bainbridge, passed away Dec. 8, at the New York State Veterans' Home, Oxford, N.Y., after a brief illness. He had been a resident of the home for three months. Ronald was born in Guilford, N.Y. on May 9, 1927, the son of the late Walter Frederick Drachler and the late Laurena Monroe Drachler Place. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his first wife, Dorothy Terry Drachler, who died in 1986, and his sister Wanda (Fay) Smith. Ron attended Bainbridge Central School. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy near the end of World War II. He worked at Scintilla/ Bendix/ Amphenol in Sidney, N.Y., for 42 ½ years as a machinist, group leader and inventory manager. Ron was an active volunteer in the Bainbridge Fire Department for more than 60 years, serving as its president for 17 years. He served several terms on the Town of Bainbridge Board of Fire Commissioners. In 1999 he was honored as the town's Fireman of the Year. He was active in the First United Methodist Church of Bainbridge where he served as a member and chair of its Board of Trustees for many years. He is survived by his second wife of 26 years, Mary Nelson Drachler, and children Stephen (Michelle) Drachler, Harrisburg, Pa.; Ronald (Jill) Drachler, Bradenton, Fla.; Suzanne (Daniel) Thomas, Norwich, N.Y.; Rhonda (David) Stearns, Bainbridge, N.Y.; step daughters Melody (Larry) Crenshaw, Alexandria, Va.; and Gretel Enck, Ft. Collins, Colo.; grandchildren, Adrianne (Keith) Clegg, Atlanta, Ga.; Daniel Banks and Pam Jones, Bainbridge, N.Y.; Capt. Nikki (Edwin) Martinez, Fort Hood, Texas; Sarah Baker and Joshua Wells, Norwich, N.Y.; James (Sarah) Drachler, North Port, Fla.; Renee Banks and Robyn Tetrault, Syracuse, N.Y., Stephanie (Mark) Evans, Mount Wolf, Pa., Bethany Banks and Tomme Dugon, Afton, N.Y.; Ashley (Daniel) Russell, Live Oak, Fla.; and Matthew Stearns, Oneonta, N.Y.; nephews Gary (Tracey) Smith, Bainbridge, N.Y.; Jim ( Kitty) Smith, Potsdam, N.Y.; and Randy (Christine) Smith, Bainbridge, N.Y.; and eight great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a half-sister Doris (James) Robinson, Cleveland, Tenn. A memorial service to celebrate Ron's life will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, Dec. 22 in the First United Methodist Church, 27 North Main St., Bainbridge, N.Y. The Rev. Fred Albrecht will officiate. Calling hours will take place from 2 p.m. – 4 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 21 in the C.H. Landers Funeral Home, 21 Main St., Sidney, N.Y. Memorials are encouraged to the Bainbridge Fire Department and the First United Methodist Church of Bainbridge. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery in Afton, N.Y. Condolences and memories may be shared with the family online at www.landersfh.com. The C.H. Landers Funeral Home, Sidney, N.Y. is handling arrangements.