Melba Droege

Melba Marie Droege (94) passed away at 10:20 am on Thursday, November 27, 2025 at the home of her daughter and son-in-law in Gillespie, IL.

She was the only child of Oren Walter and Luella Emma (nee: Kinder) MaGuire on March 18, 1931 in Golden Eagle, IL.

She wed Robert Droege on December 9, 1950 in Meppen, IL. Becoming a military wife, led to a life of seeing different air bases and included a trip to Japan for 3 years. Robert passed away in 2005.

She also was preceded in death by her son Patrick Droege in 2018; and grandsons, JC Droege in 2012, and Craig Ulrich in 2021; sister-in-law and brother-in-law Valeria (Droege) and Eugene Baalman; brother-in-law, Howard Droege; sister-in-law, Roseann Droege Friedel;  father-in-law and mother-in-law, Aureus Droege and Emma Behrens-Droege.

Surviving are her daughter and son-in-law Patricia (Daniel) Ulrich of Gillespie, IL.; grandchildren, Brian (Jessi) Bauser, Jenifer (Steve) Hinkle, Chrissi (Jeff) Petit, and Jessica Ulrich; great-grandchildren, Cierra Smith, Johnna (Jeremy) Dickerson, Joseph (Autumn) Wulf, Kyleigh (Dylan) Floyd, Kaleb Hinkle, Emily May, Rebecca Scheller, Samantha Eulberg, Peyton Petit, Jacob Bauser, Alex Bauser, and Odin Ulrich; great-great-grandchildren, Callum, Noelle, and Lyra; sister-in-law, Loretta Droege; along with several cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Visitation will be on Wednesday, December 10, 2025 from 10:00 am till time of service at 11:00 am at Elias, Kallal, and Schaaf Funeral Home in Godfrey, IL.

Burial will be at Wilson Cemetery in Batchtown, Illinois.

The family has requested that memorials if desired to be made to the USO or the Humane Society.

Online condolences and guestbook may be found at www.eliaskallalandschaaf.com.