Cletus Eugene Drone

Cletus Eugene Drone, 84, of Ridgway, Illinois, passed away at his home surrounded by his loved ones, on Monday, July 20, 2020.  Cletus was born into a large loving family on September 16th, 1935 in Equality.  He was the son of the late John Albert and Lucy Catherine Johanna (Muensterman) Drone.  Cletus married the former Patsy Jane Browning on January 18, 1958.  Sadly, Patsy passed way on April 3rd, 2002.  He proudly served in the Army for two years (1956-1958) in Okinawa during the Korean Conflict and inactive reserves (1958-1962).  Also he was a retired farmer and a faithful member of the St. Kateri Catholic Church.  Additionally he was very active in the community, member of the American Legion, McClain - Glover Post 595 and Ridgway Post 0596 for twenty-nine years, Knights of Columbus #1581; served on Equality Unit# 4 Board of Education for nearly twenty years which includes original member of Gallatin County Unit School District #7 and supporter of the Sheriffs Association.  Cletus is survived by his daughter, Lara and Kevin Anderson of Fort Branch, Indiana; three sons, Mark and Kim Drone of Newburgh, Indiana, Tim and Jo Drone of Ridgway, Phillip and Michelle Drone of Eldorado; three sisters, Marti and Mike Storto of Equality, Dorothy Spahr of Equality, Dolores Schmitt of Ridgway; nine grandchildren, Tabitha and John DeVous, Derek Drone, Sara and Dustin Jones, Brittney and Nic Dimmett, Mariah Drone, Lucy Odom, Reba and Phillip Riggs, Kirk Odom, Ashley and Austin Carter; six great grandchildren, Noah DeVous, Lucas Jones, Amelia Jones, Liliya Dimmett, Lorelei Dimmett and Ida Mae Riggs.  He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; two brothers, Charles and Hubert Drone; one great grandson, Mason David Carter.  Visitation for Cletus will be held on Wednesday, July 22nd from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Vickery Funeral Chapel in Ridgway.  Funeral Mass will be held at St. Kateri Catholic Church in Ridgway on Thursday, July 23rd with Father Steven Beatty and Father Christian Iwuagwu officiating.  Burial will be at the St. Joseph Cemetery near Equality.  Donations in Cletus’s memorial may be to St. Joseph Cemetery - Equality or St. Kateri Catholic Church.  Special thanks to Hospice of Southern Illinois staff, Cheryl, Carol, Janet and Alicia.  A reminder that due to Covid-19, masks and social distancing will be required.