Edwin Marion Drose, Sr.

Edwin Marion Drose Sr. passed away at the Georgia War Veteran’s Nursing Home on May 2, 2010 after a long illness. He had his daughter, Libby, and daughter-in-law, Nancy, with him.
Family will receive friends at Platt’s Funeral Home in Evans Georgia, on Wednesday, May 5, from 5pm-7pm. A Memorial Service will be held at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church with Rev. Schwartz officiating on Thursday, May 6, at 11:00am. The Funeral service and internment with full military honors will be at 10:00 am on Saturday May 8th at Calvary Lutheran Church in Charleston, SC.

Born September 3, 1930 in Charleston, SC to Eulalie and John Henry Drose, he began his military career when he attended Porter-Gaud Military Academy. After graduation he enlisted with the permission of his mother at the age of 17. He served in the Korean War and in other overseas locations. He went on to attend the Officer Candidate School and became an Infantry Officer. Two of his most talked about assignments were in the 2nd Infantry Division in Korea and the 27th Infantry Regiment (The Wolfhounds), 25th Infantry Division.

He met and married his first wife, the late Marian Coleman while serving in Hawaii. He found love again when he met Wanda Krenz while both were serving as Army Recruiters in Minneapolis. After a short courtship, Wanda relented and finally said yes to his marriage proposal! They married in 1958 and had two successful children Elizabeth “Libby” Drose and Edwin M. Drose Jr.

After retiring from the Army as a Major, Ed used the GI Bill to become the 1st person in his family to graduate from college; graduating from Moorehead State University with a degree in Hospital Administration. He went on to work at St. Ansgar Hospital in Moorhead, MN.

The Army was in his blood and Ed continued to serve the military in a civilian role as an Army Public Relations representative for the Columbia, SC District Recruiting Command. After retiring from civil service, Ed and Wanda became avid “Antiquers” and for years maintained a small antique shop wherever they lived. He was also very active in his church including supporting the Our Redeemer Quilters.

Ed and Wanda were proud parents…active in Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and attending just about every band performance their kids were in through high school and college. They were always present in their kids and grandkids lives!

Ed is survived by his two children, daughter in law, Nancy C. Drose, his two grandchildren, Briana Henderson Drose and Connor Krenz Drose and his three sisters - Eulalie Campbell, Margeurite Dawdy and Ruthie Campbell, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

He lived a life full of family and dear friends. He could cook up a mean pile of shrimp and crabs! Ed was a man of few words, but we knew what he was saying! He was a family man – a good provider and husband, great Dad and doting Papa. We already miss him.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Foundation Fighting Blindness 11435 Cronhill Dr., Owings Hills, MD 21117-2220 or the Alzheimer’s Association National Office 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601.