John Brown Droste, 90, of Bloomington, IN, passed away peacefully at IU Health Hospice House on February 5, 2018. He was born on November 23, 1927, in Hillsboro, IL, to the late Elmer H. and Beatrice Brown Droste.
John served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was a proud Army veteran.
He met his future wife, Mary Elizabeth Anderson, on a blind date in 1948. They were married on September 2, 1951, at Union Avenue Christian Church, Litchfield, IL.
John was very active in The Boy Scouts of America as a woodsman and a naturalist. He was awarded the Silver Beaver and The Order of the Arrow for his achievements with the scouts.
John completed his Bachelor’s ('51), Master’s ('53), and Ph.D. ('56) in Geology at the University of Illinois. He then began his teaching career as a Professor of Geology at Indiana University. He taught from 1957-1992, and during his career he won numerous awards for his achievements. He wrote “Course Guide for Geology“ which had wide spread use. He was known for shaking each student’s hand before each class and was regarded as a gifted teacher.
He is survived by his loving wife, Mary, his sons, John (Doris) Droste and Stephen Droste; granddaughter, Beth (Anna) Droste-Glowinski; grandsons, Randi (Ashley) Harris and Wesley Daniel Harris; brother Robert Louis (Marian) Droste; brother and sister-in-law Henry (Sue) Anderson; sisters-in-law Janet and Jenny Anderson; nieces Lori (Ken) Hillis and Leslie (David) Farrar; nephews Jim, Scott (Kristy), Jim (Amy) Anderson and great granddaughters; Elizabeth, Lila, and Josephine Droste-Glowinski and Ellie Dupuis.
John was preceded in death by his first-born granddaughter, Jennifer Marie Droste; his brothers in law, Stephen and Michael Anderson; and in-laws, Henry and Ruth Anderson.
Visitation for John will be held on Saturday, February 10 from 9-11am at Day and Deremiah-Frye Funeral Home, 4150 E Third St, Bloomington, IN 47401. The funeral service will follow at 11am with Pastor Helen Hempfling officiating. Burial will be in Valhalla Memory Gardens with the Monroe County Honor Guard performing military rites.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be directed to Riley Hospital for Children, The Boy Scouts of America, or First Christian Church, 205 Kirkwood Ave, Bloomington, IN.
Online condolences may be made to the family at www.DayDeremiahFrye.com
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