William Drone

William Dale Drone, age 73, of Murphysboro, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by his family at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, August 17, 2006. A funeral mass will be held at 11a.m. Monday, August 21, 2006, at St. Andrew Catholic Church and burial at St. Andrew Cemetery with military services conducted by the American Legion Post # 127, V.F.W. Post # 7190 and 2605, and Jackson County D.A.V. Chapter # 69. Friends may call from 4 to 9 p.m. Sunday and Monday until 10:45 a.m. at Pettett Funeral Home, where a rosary will be recited at 4:30 p.m. Sunday. Memorials may be made in memory of William "Dale" Drone to St. Andrew Catholic Church, Hospice of Southern Illinois, Inc., or the Adorers of the Precious Blood, Ruma, Illinois. Dale lived his life with great integrity, always showing his amazing passion for his faith and his family. He was born on April 24, 1933, in Ridgway, to Lawrence and Bertha (Luckett) Drone. Mr. Drone graduated from Ridgway High School in 1951. He served in the U.S. Army from 1953 to 1955, one of six sons to serve in the military. After his honorable discharge, he farmed in Gallatin and Saline counties from 1956 to 1958. Dale married Carol Richmond at St. Mary Catholic Church in Harrisburg on June 27,1 957. They bought a beautiful farm in Jackson County in 1958. In 1966, they bough the orchards that became their blessed family business. Many happy memories were created working together with their children in the orchard on the farm. He retired from Southern Illinois University where he worked as a carpenter. He was a member of the Carpenter's Local # 638 in Marion. Dale was member of St. Andrew Catholic Church in Murphysboro, and a faithful member of the Knights of Columbus. He served as a Grand Knight for the Murphysboro Council, District Deputy for the Belleville Diocese, and was a regional membership chairman for the Illinois State Knights of Columbus Council. He gave many years of service to the Murdale Water Board and was an active member of the Jackson County Democratic Party, and had also served as town clerk of Pomona Township. He was a member of the American Legion Post # 127. Dale is survived by his wife Carol; five children daughter Nancee of Columbia, Illinois, daughter Susan Drone Prickett of Carbondale, daughter Mary and son in law Tony Mileur of Murphysboro, daughter Martha and son in law Jim Clarke of Murphysboro, and son Bill and daughter in law Leann Drone of Murphysboro; Dale was a very loving proud grandfather to Stephanie Michelle and Hilary Lauren Drone, Monica Sue and Lucas "Luke" Anthony MIleur, Danielle Joe, Madelynn Dale, and Abigail Rose Clarke, all of Murphysboro. He is also survived by one sister and brother in law Rachel and Clarence Etienne, Jr. of Eldorado, a brother and sister in law Carl and Pat Drone of Harrisburg, a brother and sister in law Tom and Daisy Drone of Montgomery, AL; "Uncle Dale" is survived by eight nieces and eleven nephews; one aunt Lillian Suttner of Ridgway; and three sisters in law Anita Drone of Atlanta, GA, Joyce Drone Cruse of Ridgway, and Catherine Clore Diefenbach of Galatia. He is preceded in death by his parents, three brothers Lawrence Drone, Martin "Motor" Drone, and Charles Drone, his mother and father in law Genevieve and Leo Richmond.

William Drone

April 24, 1933 - August 17, 2006