Sonja Jo (Pyles) Drake

Sonja Jo Drake, 82, of North Vernon, passed away at 1:40 p.m. on Sunday, December 14, 2025, at her residence.

Born December 2, 1943, in Bedford, Kentucky, the daughter of the late Arthur Edward and Eleanor Lorraine Rand Pyles. She married Harold Eugene “Gene” Drake on September 24, 1971, in North Vernon; he preceded her in death on September 15, 2022.

Sonja was a graduate of Dupont High School and worked as CNA for Schneck Medical Center in Seymour, retiring in 2002, she had previously worked as a CNA for the former Muscatatuck State Developmental Center in Butlerville from 1995-1998, and Jackson Park Convalescent Center in Seymour for several years. She enjoyed working crossword puzzles, watching soap operas, reading and traveling. Sonja loved spending time with her family.

Survivors include her son, Harold (Dee Dee) Drake Jr., of Scipio; her daughters, Delois “Dee”  (Allen) Mathews of Scipio, Rhonda (John) Pyle of Seymour, and  Debbie (Roger) Bruck of Salem; brother, Rick (Darlene) Pyles of Arizona; sisters, Priscilla (James) Huff and Linda (Dave) Heilman, both of Scipio; sister-in-law, Beryl Drake of North Vernon; grandchildren, John Mathews of Indianapolis, Lori (Greg) Lammers of Nashville, Adam (Morgan) Pyle of Brownstown, Nathan (Jennifer) Pyle of Seymour, Kaila (Brennen) Crouch of North Vernon, Matthew (Ashley) Pyle of Freetown, and Elijah Drake of Indianapolis; and great-grandchildren, Kaira Lammers, Korynn Lammers, and Gavin Lammers, all of Nashville, Maddie Pyle and Jackson Pyle, both of Brownstown, Carsen Pyle and Delaney Pyle, both of Seymour, and Bentley Crouch and Rhett Crouch, both of North Vernon.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; brother Daryle Pyles; and sisters, Janet Turner and Edwena Mathews.

A funeral service for Sonja will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 17, 2025, at the Dove-Sharp & Rudicel Funeral Home and Cremation Service in North Vernon with the Rev. Caleb Reynolds and Lori and Greg Lammers officiating. The visitation for family and friends will be on Wednesday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service. The burial will follow in the Vernon Cemetery.

Memorials may be made in honor of Sonja through the funeral home to Our Hospice of Jennings County or the Alzheimer's Association.

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