Obituary for William Joseph Drone
William Joseph Drone was born March 31, 1928 at his parents' home in the Ridgway Community. He was the first child born into the Christian family of Cecil and Zerita Pfister-Drone. Bill grew up with brothers "Bud", Denny and his sisters Betty and Teresa. Bill was baptized and confirmed his faith at the St. Joseph's Catholic Church where he was a life-long member and also with the Knights of Columbus. Bill received his education from St. Joseph's Catholic School and Ridgway High School. Bill married Dorothy I. Rash on January 12, 1948 in the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Old Shawneetown, Illinois. Bill was most proud of his family and that he shared with his wife both the duties of raising and providing for the family in spiritual and worldly needs. Bill was very active in the community receiving the Ridgway "Outstanding Citizen" award in 1973. His ever active interest in athletics led him to coaching basketball, baseball and girls khoury league softball both at St. Joseph's Catholic and the community. Many games were played in the empty lot at the Drone house and in the backyard. In his later years his interest turned to golf, never wanting to lose a golf ball and raising a garden. Bill enjoyed the Wednesday evenings of poker with the boys and playing bridge and 500. He always supported his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren whenever possible in all their events in life. There was always Christmas, Pop Corn Days and the Kiddy Parade in Ridgway at Papa and Grams. Bill grew up on a farm and shared those duties especially during the depression and the flood of 1937. He was employed by Holderby Ford, Joe Coad Dealership, and later with the Illinois Department of Public Aid, where he retired in 1993. Bill was a good man with a beautiful soul, a great husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. He will be so missed in the Ridgway area. Memorials: In lieu of flowers the family please ask that donations be made to the St. Kateri Catholic Church building fund, Post Office Box #190, Ridgway, Illinois, 62979 and or the Donor's Choice. He is survived by His: Wife:Dorothy I. Drone Villas of Holly Brook, Effingham, Illinois Son: Jeffrey Joseph Droneof Altamont, Illinois and his daughter : Misti (husband, Jeffrey) Jackson and their son: Lucas and his sons: Cody and Shawn Drone and his step sons: Nathan (wife, Annie) Klitzing and their daughters" Adelynn and Sophia Nicholas "Nick" Klitzing and his step daughter: Cassidy (fiancÕ©, Zachary Lowry)Klitzing 2-Daughters: Patricia Louise (husband, David) Emersonof Indianapolis, Indiana and their son: William "Bill" (wife Tara)Harris and their children: Ethin, Natalie and Mia and their daughters: Jessica (husband, Oliver) Richardson and their son Hugo Andrea(husband, Michael)Webster and their children: Laine, Adison, Elle, Michael and Cameron Karla (husband, Trevor) Emerson-Scott and their children Courtney, Zachary, Mallory, Kaylee, Paige and Zachary Debra Ann (husband, Lynn) Kullof Altamont, Illinois and their daughter:Audrey Ann (partner, Lucas Lilly) Kull and their son:Trenton William (partner, Amber Schulze) Kull and 2-grandsons:Noah and Desmond Klimpel Brother: Dennis "Denny" (wife, Delores) Droneof Tallua, Illinois 2-Sisters:Betty Lou Haleof Raleigh, Illinois Teresa Catherine Austinof Paducah, Kentucky 12-Grandchildren20- Great Grandchildren and Great-Great Grandchildren Numerous Nieces and Nephews He was preceded in death by HIS: Parents:Cecil William Drone Zerita Elizabeth Drone Grandson:Jordan Joseph Kull Brothers:Marion "Bud" Drone
Service:
Monday , September 22, 2014
St. Mary's Catholic Church
Visitation:
Sunday , September 21, 2014 from 4pm to 8pm
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Service:
Monday , September 22, 2014
St. Mary's Catholic Church
Visitation:
Sunday , September 21, 2014 from 4pm to 8pm
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