Drake M. Matovich, 63, of South Bend, Indiana, died suddenly on Thursday, May 18th, 2023, in DuPage County, Illinois.
He was born on October 5th, 1959, in Michigan City, Indiana, the youngest son of Eugene and Kathryn (Place) Matovich.
Drake’s family moved to Elkhart, Indiana when he was 3 years old and that is where he grew up. While his home was in Elkhart, Drake spent a great deal of time visiting his grandparents, Kathryn, and Elburt Place, at their farm in Walkerton, Indiana. His time on the farm was spent riding minibikes, shooting bb-guns, driving tractors, hunting, fishing, and helping his grandfather plant and tend the crops. Drake’s grandparents and his great aunt Veronica Draves (Ike) were a huge part of his life, having lost his father at the age of 9.
Drake attended Willowdale Elementary School, Northside Junior High School, and graduated from Elkhart Memorial High School in 1977. He played football and competed in the field events in track at Northside and Elkhart Memorial. Drake’s ferocity on the football field earned him the nickname of “little mad dog” after his big brother, Eric.
Drake discovered a passion for music at Elkhart Memorial participating in the choir and musical programs. He continued his love of music and singing, becoming a favorite of the Karaoke crowd in northwest Indiana. Drake also discovered his love of motorcycles in high school, eventually competing on the motocross circuit in northern Indiana and southern Michigan. His love of motorcycles took him to Sturgis South Dakota for the bike rally and to North Carolina to ride the “Tale of the Dragon.”
After graduating high school, Drake attended IUSB for one year before deciding on a career as a professional truck driver. He passed driving school with flying colors and was a professional driver for 44 years hauling just about every type of load in nearly every state. Drake worked hard all his life.
Drake was blessed with four talented and accomplished children, Nick Matovich (Leah) of Houston Texas, Veronica Matovich of Durham, North Carolina, Dustin Matovich (Rachael) of Ojo Caliente, New Mexico and Sarah Gage (Zach) of Fort Liberty, North Carolina and seven beautiful grandchildren Olivia, Isaak, Eden, Ezra, Drake, Krieg and Acea. While Drake’s work schedule and the burden of distance kept him from seeing his children and grandchildren as much as he would have liked, he was very proud and loved them all.
Drake was very creative and artistic. His favorite hobbies included gardening, carpentry and wood working, metal working, customizing his pick-up truck, “tinkering” in his garage, and playing with his three Maine Coon cats, Mildred, Ziggy, and George. I’m sure they miss him too.
Drake is survived by his wife, Karen, of South Bend, Indiana. He is lovingly remembered by his brothers, Eric Matovich (Julie) of Westerville, Ohio, and Mike Cluggish (Pat) of Lebanon, Indiana, by his two daughters, Veronica Matovich, and Sarah Gage (Zach) by his two sons Nick Matovich (Leah) and Dustin Matovich (Rachael), his seven grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Eugene, and Kathryn Matovich.
Arrangements are being entrusted to Haverstock Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 602 Maple Ave., LaPorte, IN. A private memorial service for immediate family members will be held at Haverstock’s Funeral Home in Laporte, Indiana on August 26th, 2023.
Donations in Drake’s memory can be made to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention.
