Edward L. Drone

Edward Leo Drone ("Ed" or "Dad"), age 63 of Edwardsburg, Michigan, passed away at 11:36 pm on May 20, 2024 surrounded by family, following a three year hard fought battle with brain cancer. Ed was a cherished husband, father, brother, and friend.

He was born on June 20, 1960 to Leo E. and Marita (Schiff) Drone on the Naval Air Station in Lakehurst, New Jersey. He graduated from North Hardin High School in Radcliffe, Kentucky in 1978 and then went on to pursue a degree in Biomedical Science from Southern Illinois University. Ed was one of the few people who loved his job and the people who surrounded him. He worked as a Clinical Engineer at Elkhart General Hospital for over thirty years.

On June 23, 1984, Edward married the love of his life, Rebecca Carol (Skaggs) at St Joseph Catholic Church in Ridgway, Illinois. This year, June 23rd, would have marked forty wonderful years of marriage to Rebecca.

One of his family's favorite qualities about Ed was his true servant's heart; a willingness to drop anything to lend someone a helping hand. Whether it was for a friend, acquaintance, or stranger, he found incredible joy in helping others. Be it working on whoever's car that happened to be in his driveway or sacrificing long weekends to assist in building a co-worker's home. He had the mind of a true engineer, a natural at applying problem solving skills, and an artist's inquisition, always yearning to learn something new. He truly could solve any problem that life (or a car) had in store for him!

Being a "military brat", he developed a love for adventure and travel at a young age, which he shared with his children. Family vacations were important to him. His favorite place was on any mountain, but he especially loved Estes Park, Colorado, which was a second home to both him and his family for over 30 years.

Edward was a former manager and Lead Tech at Elkhart General Hospital in the Biomedical Department, a past vice president of the Indiana Biomedical Society, served as Treasurer of the Knights of Columbus in Edwardsburg, and was a member of the Michiana Jeep Club.

Edward had an incredible excitement for life and charismatic sense of humor, never failing to find joy in the simple moments, especially when it involved his family. There was no one, and no thing, that dad loved more than his family. Even after his diagnosis, he would call his children almost daily asking them what they needed help with.  

He is survived by his wife, Rebecca and their children, Meagan (David) Gilbert of Granger, Indiana and Joshua (Stephanie) Drone of Mishawaka, Indiana; Ed's brothers, Tim (Susie) Drone of Eldorado, Illinois, and Michael Drone of Shawneetown, Illinois, and brother-in-law Frank Skaggs IV of Spring Hill, FL.

He is preceded in death by his parents, parents in law Frank Skaggs III and Sandra Skaggs, and Frank IV's wife, Pamela. 

The Memorial Service for Edward Drone will be at 5:00 pm (Eastern Daylight Time) on Friday, May 31, 2024 at Community Church, 28647 U.S. 12 West near Edwardsburg, Michigan with Pastor Dan Thomas officiating. Visitation with family will begin at 4:00 pm.
(Eastern Daylight Time).