Billie Eileen Stankie

“Eileen,” as she was known by her family, was born March 26, 1932, in Appalachia, VA, to the late Cleta June Barnett and Sanford Cecil Upchurch. She was affectionately known as “Grandma Sugar” to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She attended Appalachia Elementary, LaFayette Elementary and Hammond High School, where she met her husband, Gerard “Jerry” Richard Drapeau, and her high school sweetheart and husband, Thomas A. Stankie, whom she joyfully reunited with in 1996.

She lived many happy years with her maternal grandparents, Granddaddy David and Susan (Mom) Kelly, until she moved to Indiana around 1940. She worked in many different businesses, including Maid Rite, managed a Big Wheel Restaurant in Hammond, as a dance instructor at Arthur Murray and Fred Astaire Studios, and as head Cashier for the Lake County Treasurer's Office for over 30 years. After retirement, she became an author, publishing “Santa’s First Christmas” in 2007.

She loved beauty and created a beautiful home and life for her loved ones. She loved shopping at Carsons and mourned its closing. She had a great sense of style, which was obvious in her wardrobe and jewelry choices.

She enjoyed a good meal at Gino’s Steak House in Merrillville. She deeply believed in the power of positive thinking and accomplished what she set her mind to do. She had numerous friends. She loved to play Mahjong, but she loved her children best of all.

Her acceptance and belief in her Savior, Jesus Christ, as a young person sustained her throughout her life. She was a devoted member of the Calvary Baptist Church in Highland, IN.

Left to cherish her memory are her beloved children, Dr. Pamela Drapeau, G. Paul Drapeau (Ruth), Kenneth Drew Drapeau (Sharon), and Keith Roger Drapeau; her uncle, James Kelly, and her dear friend, Dale Gard; her grandchildren, Jeffrey Drapeau, Jessica McNabb, Christopher W. Drapeau (Allison), Justin C. Drapeau (Lyndsie), Rachel Elise Drapeau, Darcey Alexandra Drapeau, Joseph P. Drapeau (Rachel), and Joshua D. Drapeau; and great-grandchildren, Olivia McNabb, Khodi, Haley, Evangeline, Oliver, Josephine, Weston, Micah, Sophia, and Lucy Drapeau; as well as numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Thomas A. Stankie (2017); her infant daughter, Sheila Rae Drapeau; her ex-husbands, Gerard Drapeau and George Micheff; her brother, John Mansfield; her grandson, Dylan D. Drapeau; her parents; her stepdad, Vernon Peveler; and her best friend, Shirley Hawkins.

She spent her last years living at Residences at Deer Creek, where she made loving friends and received loving care from the staff, especially Gwen and Latiela.

A visitation to honor Billie will be held at Chapel Lawn Funeral Home, located at 8178 Cline Avenue, Crown Point, IN, 46307, on November 12, 2025, from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm. The funeral service will follow at 1:00 pm. She will be laid to rest at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.ChapelLawnFunerals.com for the Stankie family.