Nancy Karon Athanasia Drake

Nancy was born February 21, 1931 in Springfield, the daughter of Alex and Angeline Karon.

Nancy graduated from Springfield High School in 1949. She earned a bachelors degree in 1953 from Knox College in Galesburg, Illinois. She worked for the State of Illinois in the Department of Public Health. Nancy was the cofounder of the Springfield Chapter of the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation. She was also involved in many other civic organizations in the community. An accomplished knitter who loved music of all types, especially marches, Nancy was also known for her wit and humor.

She was preceded in death by her parents, who owned and operated the Sugar Bowl Restaurant in Springfield.

She is survived by her children, John Drake, James Moore (Joyce) Drake Jr., Alex (Amy) Drake, Jacob Drake, and Angela (Paul) Bartolai; six grandchildren, Katie, Elena, Grace, Nick, Drake, and Drew; and sister, Mary (Raymond) Dash.

Visitation: Family will receive friends from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, July 19, 2019 at Boardman-Smith Funeral Home, 800 S. Grand Ave. West, Springfield.

Funeral Ceremony: 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 20, 2019 at Saint Anthony Hellenic Orthodox Church, 1600 S. Glenwood Ave., Springfield, with Rev. George Pyle celebrant. Burial will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Saint Anthony Hellenic Orthodox Church, 1600 S. Glenwood Ave., Springfield, IL 62704 or Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Illinois Chapter, Attn: Memorials and Tributes, 1 N. LaSalle St. Suite #1200, Chicago, IL 60602.