OBITUARY: 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," Dennis "Denny" and sisters Betty and Teresa. Bill died peacefully 4:37 p.m. Thursday afternoon, Sept. 18, 2014, at the Evergreen Rehabilitation Center with family near in Effingham.
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. He grew up on a farm, sharing 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, retiring in 1993.
Bill married Dorothy I. Rash on Jan. 12, 1948, in the St. Mary's Catholic Church in Old Shawneetown. He was most proud of his family and that he shared with his wife, Dorothy, the duties of raising and providing for them.
He 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. In his later years Bill enjoyed golfing, (giving great tips and never wanting to lose a ball). He began gardening and helped Dorothy make salsa, can tomatoes and freeze corn. He enjoyed picking out pecans and making plastic Christmas balls to give away. He looked forward to playing 500, Bridge and Wednesday night poker.
He always supported his children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren whenever possible, in all their events in life. Papa pitched a waffle ball to grandkids for hours in the backyard. Papa, the "Tickle Monster" gave great backrubs to the grandkids. We have wonderful memories of Christmases, Pop Corn Days and the Kiddy Parades in Ridgway at Papa and Grams.
In lieu of flowers the family request memorial 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 of Villas of Holly Brook, Effingham; son, Jeffrey Joseph Drone of Altamont; daughter, Misti (husband, Jeffrey) Jackson and their son, Lucas; sons, Cody and Shawn Drone; stepsons, Nathan (wife, Annie) Klitzing and their daughters, Adelynn and Sophia, Nicholas "Nick" Klitzing; stepdaughter, Cassidy (fiancé, Zachary Lowry) Klitzing; daughters, Patricia Louise (husband, David) Emerson of Fishers, Ind., and their son, William "Bill" (wife Tara)Harris and their children, Ethin, Natalie and Mia, their daughters, Jessica (husband, Oliver) Richardson, and son, Hugo, Andrea (husband, Michael) Webster, and their children, Laine, Adison, Elle, Michael and Cameron, her stepdaughter, Karla(husband, Trevor) Emerson-Scott and their children, Courtney, Zachary, Mallory, Kaylee, Paige and Zachary, Debra Ann (husband, Lynn) Kull of Altamont, their daughter, Audrey Ann (partner, Lucas Lilly) Kull, their son, Trenton William (partner, Amber Schulze) Kull; grandsons, Noah and Desmond Klimpel; brother, Dennis "Denny" (wife, Delores) Drone of Tallua; two sisters, Betty Lou Hale of Raleigh, Teresa Catherine Austin of Paducah, Ky.; numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Cecil William Drone, Zerita Elizabeth Drone; grandson, Jordan Joseph Kull; and brother, Marion "Bud" Drone
Visitation for family and friends was from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Sunday Sept. 21, 2014, at the Cox & Son Funeral Home in Ridgway.
Funeral Mass for Bill was Monday morning at 10 a.m. in the St. Mary's Chapel of the St. Kateri Catholic Church with Father Steven Beatty, Celebrant, in Shawneetown.
Burial followed Mass at the St. Joseph Cemetery in Ridgway.
You may leave a note of comfort to the family at www.coxandson.com