Mert J. Draffen,
Calvert City, Dies
CALVERT CITY, April 30 -- Mert J. Draffen, 84, a businessman here for more than six decades, died at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Western Baptist Hospital in Paducah following an illness of about two years.
Mr. Draffen was a partner in Draffen Department Store since its founding 64 years ago. He had been president of Calvert Bank since 1931.
The department store, a landmark in North Marshall County, was started in 1906 when the Draffen brothers -- Mert and Luther -- worked at a sawmill and prepared much of the lumber to be used in the first building, small structure that cost the brothers $105. At first, the repair of shoes and harness was offered, then hardware was added and, still later, groceries. The Draffens, at first, would accept groceries for sale only on a consignment basis. The present store was constructed in 1923.
The bank, organized in 1908, had only one president before Mr. Draffen became the chief officer. Except for a "bank holiday" declared by the federal government, the bank remained in operation throughout the depression days of the 1930s at a time when many other banks across the nation were closed.
The Draffen brothers, in 1932, purchased bonds that brought about the construction of a new Calvert City school. Mr. Draffen was a leader in the effort for the new school. The procedure involved, establishing a school district and issuance of bonds to finance the cost of construction. Then, it was discovered the bonds could not be sold through normal channels. and the Draffens agreed to make the purchase, the building was destroyed by fire about two years ago.
Mr. Draffen held the longest continuous membership in First Baptist Church here. Through out the years he had held various church positions.
His wife, Mrs. Jennie V. Draffen, died in March, 1969.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Friday at First Baptist Church with the Rev. Jerome Browne officiating.
Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. John G. Russell, Paducah; a son, William R. Draffen, Calvert City; a sister, Mrs. Erma Davis. Hazel Park, Mich.; the brother, G. Luther Draffen, Calvert City; five grandchildren, Jane and Bill Draffen, both of Calvert City, Mrs. James E. Dunn, Jackson, Tenn., Mrs. Wallace K. Holleman, Nashville, and John Russell Jr., Nashville, and nine great-grandchildren.
Burial will be in the Calvert City Mausoleum.
Active pallbearers will be deacons of First Baptist Church. Honorary pallbearers will be directors of the bank, and Earl Gray, Dr. Carroll W. Traylor, Dr. R. W. Roberson, Dr. William N. Blalock, Raymond Butler and Marvin Ruley.
Friends may call at Filbeck and Cann Funeral Chapel at Benton. The body will be taken to the church at 1 p.m. Friday.
The family asks that expressions of sympathy take the form of contributions to the Marshall County chapter of American Red Cross.
The Sun-Democrat
Paducah, Ky
Friday, May 1, 1970, p. 6-A
.
Calvert City, Dies
CALVERT CITY, April 30 -- Mert J. Draffen, 84, a businessman here for more than six decades, died at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Western Baptist Hospital in Paducah following an illness of about two years.
Mr. Draffen was a partner in Draffen Department Store since its founding 64 years ago. He had been president of Calvert Bank since 1931.
The department store, a landmark in North Marshall County, was started in 1906 when the Draffen brothers -- Mert and Luther -- worked at a sawmill and prepared much of the lumber to be used in the first building, small structure that cost the brothers $105. At first, the repair of shoes and harness was offered, then hardware was added and, still later, groceries. The Draffens, at first, would accept groceries for sale only on a consignment basis. The present store was constructed in 1923.
The bank, organized in 1908, had only one president before Mr. Draffen became the chief officer. Except for a "bank holiday" declared by the federal government, the bank remained in operation throughout the depression days of the 1930s at a time when many other banks across the nation were closed.
The Draffen brothers, in 1932, purchased bonds that brought about the construction of a new Calvert City school. Mr. Draffen was a leader in the effort for the new school. The procedure involved, establishing a school district and issuance of bonds to finance the cost of construction. Then, it was discovered the bonds could not be sold through normal channels. and the Draffens agreed to make the purchase, the building was destroyed by fire about two years ago.
Mr. Draffen held the longest continuous membership in First Baptist Church here. Through out the years he had held various church positions.
His wife, Mrs. Jennie V. Draffen, died in March, 1969.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Friday at First Baptist Church with the Rev. Jerome Browne officiating.
Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. John G. Russell, Paducah; a son, William R. Draffen, Calvert City; a sister, Mrs. Erma Davis. Hazel Park, Mich.; the brother, G. Luther Draffen, Calvert City; five grandchildren, Jane and Bill Draffen, both of Calvert City, Mrs. James E. Dunn, Jackson, Tenn., Mrs. Wallace K. Holleman, Nashville, and John Russell Jr., Nashville, and nine great-grandchildren.
Burial will be in the Calvert City Mausoleum.
Active pallbearers will be deacons of First Baptist Church. Honorary pallbearers will be directors of the bank, and Earl Gray, Dr. Carroll W. Traylor, Dr. R. W. Roberson, Dr. William N. Blalock, Raymond Butler and Marvin Ruley.
Friends may call at Filbeck and Cann Funeral Chapel at Benton. The body will be taken to the church at 1 p.m. Friday.
The family asks that expressions of sympathy take the form of contributions to the Marshall County chapter of American Red Cross.
The Sun-Democrat
Paducah, Ky
Friday, May 1, 1970, p. 6-A
.
Mert J. Draffen,
Calvert City, Dies
CALVERT CITY, April 30 -- Mert J. Draffen, 84, a businessman here for more than six decades, died at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Western Baptist Hospital in Paducah following an illness of about two years.
Mr. Draffen was a partner in Draffen Department Store since its founding 64 years ago. He had been president of Calvert Bank since 1931.
The department store, a landmark in North Marshall County, was started in 1906 when the Draffen brothers -- Mert and Luther -- worked at a sawmill and prepared much of the lumber to be used in the first building, small structure that cost the brothers $105. At first, the repair of shoes and harness was offered, then hardware was added and, still later, groceries. The Draffens, at first, would accept groceries for sale only on a consignment basis. The present store was constructed in 1923.
The bank, organized in 1908, had only one president before Mr. Draffen became the chief officer. Except for a "bank holiday" declared by the federal government, the bank remained in operation throughout the depression days of the 1930s at a time when many other banks across the nation were closed.
The Draffen brothers, in 1932, purchased bonds that brought about the construction of a new Calvert City school. Mr. Draffen was a leader in the effort for the new school. The procedure involved, establishing a school district and issuance of bonds to finance the cost of construction. Then, it was discovered the bonds could not be sold through normal channels. and the Draffens agreed to make the purchase, the building was destroyed by fire about two years ago.
Mr. Draffen held the longest continuous membership in First Baptist Church here. Through out the years he had held various church positions.
His wife, Mrs. Jennie V. Draffen, died in March, 1969.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Friday at First Baptist Church with the Rev. Jerome Browne officiating.
Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. John G. Russell, Paducah; a son, William R. Draffen, Calvert City; a sister, Mrs. Erma Davis. Hazel Park, Mich.; the brother, G. Luther Draffen, Calvert City; five grandchildren, Jane and Bill Draffen, both of Calvert City, Mrs. James E. Dunn, Jackson, Tenn., Mrs. Wallace K. Holleman, Nashville, and John Russell Jr., Nashville, and nine great-grandchildren.
Burial will be in the Calvert City Mausoleum.
Active pallbearers will be deacons of First Baptist Church. Honorary pallbearers will be directors of the bank, and Earl Gray, Dr. Carroll W. Traylor, Dr. R. W. Roberson, Dr. William N. Blalock, Raymond Butler and Marvin Ruley.
Friends may call at Filbeck and Cann Funeral Chapel at Benton. The body will be taken to the church at 1 p.m. Friday.
The family asks that expressions of sympathy take the form of contributions to the Marshall County chapter of American Red Cross.
The Sun-Democrat
Paducah, Ky
Friday, May 1, 1970, p. 6-A
.
Calvert City, Dies
CALVERT CITY, April 30 -- Mert J. Draffen, 84, a businessman here for more than six decades, died at 3 p.m. Wednesday at Western Baptist Hospital in Paducah following an illness of about two years.
Mr. Draffen was a partner in Draffen Department Store since its founding 64 years ago. He had been president of Calvert Bank since 1931.
The department store, a landmark in North Marshall County, was started in 1906 when the Draffen brothers -- Mert and Luther -- worked at a sawmill and prepared much of the lumber to be used in the first building, small structure that cost the brothers $105. At first, the repair of shoes and harness was offered, then hardware was added and, still later, groceries. The Draffens, at first, would accept groceries for sale only on a consignment basis. The present store was constructed in 1923.
The bank, organized in 1908, had only one president before Mr. Draffen became the chief officer. Except for a "bank holiday" declared by the federal government, the bank remained in operation throughout the depression days of the 1930s at a time when many other banks across the nation were closed.
The Draffen brothers, in 1932, purchased bonds that brought about the construction of a new Calvert City school. Mr. Draffen was a leader in the effort for the new school. The procedure involved, establishing a school district and issuance of bonds to finance the cost of construction. Then, it was discovered the bonds could not be sold through normal channels. and the Draffens agreed to make the purchase, the building was destroyed by fire about two years ago.
Mr. Draffen held the longest continuous membership in First Baptist Church here. Through out the years he had held various church positions.
His wife, Mrs. Jennie V. Draffen, died in March, 1969.
Funeral services will be held at 3 p.m. Friday at First Baptist Church with the Rev. Jerome Browne officiating.
Survivors include a daughter, Mrs. John G. Russell, Paducah; a son, William R. Draffen, Calvert City; a sister, Mrs. Erma Davis. Hazel Park, Mich.; the brother, G. Luther Draffen, Calvert City; five grandchildren, Jane and Bill Draffen, both of Calvert City, Mrs. James E. Dunn, Jackson, Tenn., Mrs. Wallace K. Holleman, Nashville, and John Russell Jr., Nashville, and nine great-grandchildren.
Burial will be in the Calvert City Mausoleum.
Active pallbearers will be deacons of First Baptist Church. Honorary pallbearers will be directors of the bank, and Earl Gray, Dr. Carroll W. Traylor, Dr. R. W. Roberson, Dr. William N. Blalock, Raymond Butler and Marvin Ruley.
Friends may call at Filbeck and Cann Funeral Chapel at Benton. The body will be taken to the church at 1 p.m. Friday.
The family asks that expressions of sympathy take the form of contributions to the Marshall County chapter of American Red Cross.
The Sun-Democrat
Paducah, Ky
Friday, May 1, 1970, p. 6-A
.
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