Gerry Ann Draeger

Gerry Ann Draeger (nee Biggin), age 74, born in Cleveland, Ohio on July 5th, 1947, Born Again on February 7th, 1971, in the Kathryn Kuhlman Sunday morning service in Youngstown, Ohio,   She went home with her Lord and Savior, Jesus, on July 11, 2021, after an 8-year battle with uterine cancer.

Gerry was the daughter of Phyllis June (nee Brooker) and Harold “Red” Biggin.  She is survived by her adoring husband of 47 years, Frederick L. Draeger, and her brother Barry B. Biggin.

A 1965 graduate of Shaker Heights High School, she went on to graduate from the University College of the University of Cincinnati in 1967.  Her retail career started at Halle’s Department Store at Shaker Square.  On November 3rd of 1973, she married Fred Draeger, and together they continued to run Draeger’s Candy and Ice Cream store, a family-owned business in Shaker Heights, until it’s closing in 2005.  She was locally famous for her hand lettering of mints, and hand dipping of chocolates.

As a  born-again Christian since 2/7/1971, she sang in 4 different church choirs over the years.  She took voice lessons from Mr. Kaplan at The Fairmount Temple, along with her dear friend, Janet Ruffin Atwood..

Besides singing, she enjoyed being “Aunt Gerry” to Chris, Wendi, and Bob and also to Andrew, Lindsay, Alexis, Kyle, Alex and Lily.  She also enjoyed going to tea rooms with Sister-in-law Kathie Biggin and was a devoted fan of the Cleveland Indians!  She adored thanksgiving dinners with cousins Debbie & John Blair, Amy, and Carrie, and also Sidney, Avery and Finn.  She had a special relationship with God-child Rebecca.  Gerry will be missed by her best friend of 60 years, Nancy Ludwig.

Burial at Lake View Cemetery will be a family service.

A Memorial Celebration will be held at Grace Evangelical Bible Church at 14951 Auburn Road, Newbury, Ohio 44065 on Saturday, July 17th, 2021 at 11am.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Grace Evangelical Bible Church or an organization of choice.