Obit: Drach, Irvin A. (1914 - 2005)

Contact: Audrey Roedel

Surnames: DRACH PFEILSCHIFTER DRAXLER JORDAN LEE EVERETT

 ----Sources: Loyal TRG 07 September 2005

 Drach, Irvin A. (5 NOV 1914 - 30 AUG 2005)

Irvin A. Drach, 90, Marshfield, died Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2005, while under the devoted care of the House of the Dove Hospice Unit, Marshfield. Funeral services were held at 10 a.m. on Friday, Sept 2, at Believers Church, Marshfield.

Irvin A. Drach was born Nov. 5, 1914, in Medford to Anton G. and Dorthea (nee Pfeilschifter) Drach. He graduated from Medford High school, after which he briefly worked in a local millwork factory. During his high school and early work career, he performed with a local dance band where he played the guitar, violin, clarinet, and his favorite instrument, the trombone. He graduated from Lincoln Chiropractic College, Indianapolis, Ind., and received his doctor of Chiropractic degree in 1940. He then established the Drach Chiropractic Office in Marshfield in 1941, taking care of thousands of central Wisconsin patients in the ensuing years. In Marshfield he met Marietta B. Draxler, Auburndale. They married at St. Mary’s Church, Auburndale, on Oct. 7, 1944. During his professional career, Dr. Drach served as a member of the board of trustees for Lincoln Chiropractic College. He also served as secretary, treasurer, and president of the Wisconsin Chiropractic Association. As his practice grew, he learned of the chiropractic research done at the Toftness Foundation, Cumberland. He quickly became a pioneer in applying the Toftness diagnostic research, there by increasing his ability to provide improved care to his patients. His use of this research, in combination with the skills and experience he acquired caring for patients in his growing practice, led to his being elected as president of the Foundation for the Advancement of Chiropractic Research. He served in that capacity for 12 years, during which Toftness technique was expanded and taught to Chiropractors from across the United States in and many foreign countries. His professional career also included eight years as the deputy coroner for Wood County. In addition to his many professional commitments, he recognized and accepted a responsibility to make his community a better place to live. To the end, he devoted much time and energy to the Marshfield Lion’s Club where he was instrumental in establishing the Lion’s Camp for the Sight Impaired. He was also active in the Marshfield Elk’s Club and in the Knights of Columbus organization. His professional and civic commitments were remarkable, but he always made time to take the love of his life, Marietta, to Come Back Dance Club events where they could be seen gliding across the floor to a polka, waltz or schottischeh. After 40 years in the chiropractic profession, he retired in 1980, and engaged in many years of charitable work as a volunteer at St. Vincent DePaul, Marshfield. His life’s work was in healing he did with his chiropractic skills, but his life’s love was his family.

Survivors include his wife; six sons and three daughters: Jeffery (Dawn) Drach, Wausau, Stephen (Barbara) Drach, Marshfield, Dr. Irvin Drach ll, Loyal, David (Cynthia) Drach, Manitowoc, Dr. Paul (Kathleen) Drach, Marshfield, Mary Ann (Richard) Jordan, Marshfield, Julie (James) Lee, Wausau, Lonnie Everett, Wausau, and John (Molly) Drach, Grand Rapids, Mich.; 19 grandchildren, J. Garrett Drach, Andrew Drach, Tyler Drach), Stephanie Graham, Nathan Drach, Jesse Drach, Joel Drach, Sarah Drach, Rebecca Drach, Jared Drach, Elizabeth Neuman, Michael Drach, Katherine Drach, Daniel Drach, Jamison Lee, Jacob Lee, Alonna Everrett, Benjamin Drach, and Zachary Drach; and his niece, Rita Schneider, Milwaukee.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Anton and Dorothea Drach; his sister, Agnes Erickson; his brother, Lawrence Drach; and two nephews Willis Drach and Ronald Drach.

The family will designate a memorial in Irvin’s hon0r at a later date.

The family would also like to thank the staff at Continental Manor, Abbottsford, and the staff at the House of the Dove Hospice Facility, Marshfield for the excellent care they provided.

Remb/ Kundinger Funeral Home, Marshfield, assisted the family with arrangements.