Josephine Bernice Drake, 89, of Sparta passed away on December 23, 2012 at Newton Memorial Hospital. Josephine was born in Bernardsville, NJ and graduated from All Souls Hospital during World War ll. She was a Cadet in the US Army during training. Residences have been Wayne, NJ; Newport News, VA and Marion, VA prior to moving to Sparta in 2005. She was a member of Our Lady of the Lake Church in Sparta. Josephine is predeceased by her beloved husband Richard E. Drake. She is survived by her devoted children: Diane Bond and her husband Christopher; J. Madison Drake and his wife Marlane; Richard E. Drake Jr. and his wife Sharon and David Drake and his wife Kathleen. She is also survived by 9 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren. Friends may join the family at the memorial mass at 11AM, Saturday, December 29, 2012 at Our Lady of the Lake Church, 294 Newton Sparta Rd., Sparta. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made in her memory to the American Heart Association.