Melissa Drone of Ridgway
Melissa Drone, age 85, longtime Ridgway resident, passed on this life peacefully on April 3, 2020 in Brookstone Estates, surrounded by her family.
Melissa was born on Nov. 12, 1934 in Ridgway to the late Wilburn and Agnes (Morrison) Farris. On Nov. 7, 1957, she married the love of her life, Non Drone, who preceded her in death in 1998.
Melissa was a faithful member of the St. Kateri Catholic Church in Ridgway. She worked for many years as the secretary for the Ridgway News and Gallatin Democrat newspapers
Melissa is survived by her son, Derwin Drone of Ridgway; daughters, Mary (Dave) Eubanks of Ridgway and Victoria (Chris) Wargel of Ridgway; grandchildren, Ladonna (Orhan) Cingilli, Jimmy (Jaime) Goebel, Justin (Krystal) Drone, Michelle (Sydney) Hollaway, Gannon Wargel and Preston Wargel; great-grandchildren, Savanna Kitchen, Sierra Cingilli, Noah Cingilli, Reagan Goebel, Greyson Goebel, Alexis Barnes, Zachary Barnes, Klayton Drone, Kolten Drone, Nate Moore, Hailey Hollaway, Liam Hollaway and Maverick Hollaway; one great-grandchild, Georgia Kitchen; brother-in-law, Don Drone; and sisters-in-law, Barbara Farris, Lady Roe Farris, and Genevieve Farris. She was preceded in death by her parents; husband; brothers, Richard, Wilburn (Bud), Bernie, Bertis, and William Farris; and sisters, Mary Ellen Bates and Margaret Barnett.
In compliance with COVID-19 public safety measures, the service will be private. She will be laid to rest in the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Ridgway next to husband. Fr. Steven Beatty will preside over the service
Memorial contributions in her memory may be made to any of the following: St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Ridgway; St. Kateri Catholic Church, Ridgway; Ridgway Fire Department; Hospice of Southern Illinois; Mass donations to St. Kateri Church;
You may send these for the family in care of Cox & Son Funeral Home, P.O. Box 201, Ridgway, IL 62979
Services are entrusted to the Cox & Son Funeral Home in Ridgway where you may leave a note of comfort at www.coxanson.com.