Jon Drake

Green Bay, WI / Chatham, MI

Jon G. Drake, age 66, of Green Bay, Wisconsin and formerly of Chatham, Michigan died unexpectedly at his home of natural causes on Saturday, July 4, 2026. He was born on May 31, 1960 in Marquette, Michigan to the late Delbert and Viola (Jussila) Drake. Jon graduated from Eben High School in 1980 and attended Northern Michigan University. Jon moved to Green Bay in 1981 and worked a number of jobs. In 1993, he followed the Drake family tradition and started sailing with the Interlake Steam Shipping Company. Jon started as a porter and worked himself into the position of 2nd Cook. He sailed on a number of ships, but the last ten years on the Mesabi Miner. At one point all three siblings were on one ship. Jon was a member of the Local 5000 Union as a Sailor and he spent thirty-one years on the Great Lakes and retired in 2023. Jon was a Green Bay Packer shareholder and enjoyed cheering for the Packers. He was an avid gun collector, enjoyed shooting at the range, and was a member of the NRA. Jon had a wealth of knowledge of all things, often he would tell his sisters a fact, they would not believe him, Google it, and then see he was right. Jon was most comfortable while at home in his own state of “NP”.

Jon is survived by his sisters – Amy (Michael) Gardner of Kelso, WA and Sandy Vantassel of Waterford, MI; niece – Jaycee Scagel and Catie (Zach Schmidt) Gardner; and great nephew – Lincoln Schmidt. He was preceded in death by his parents Delbert and Viola and his brother Tony Drake.

Services will be held on Saturday, July 11, 2026 at the Bowerman Funeral Home in Munising. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. until noon. Jon’s cousin, Brian Tweedale will officiate over his funeral service at noon. Interment will be at the Pine Grove Cemetery in Chatham following the funeral.