John L. Droege, 76, passed away at 3:57 p.m., Tuesday, June 16, 2026, at Alton Memorial Hospital.

Born on July 25, 1949, in Carrollton, Illinois, he was the son of the late Leo and Adelle (Tepen) Droege.

John proudly served his country with the United States Army before returning home to build a life centered on family, hard work, and helping others. He was employed for many years as a mechanic at Marshall Chevrolet in Jerseyville, where his knowledge, skill, and willingness to lend a hand earned the respect of coworkers and customers alike.

A true outdoorsman, John found joy in trap shooting, fishing, hunting, and camping with his family. He was happiest when surrounded by those he loved, whether sharing stories around a campfire, spending time outdoors, or helping someone tackle a project. Known as a jack of all trades, there seemed to be little he couldn't fix. More importantly, he was the steady foundation and rock of his family, someone they could always count on for guidance, support, and encouragement.

He is survived by his longtime companion, Susie Holden; his children, Chris (Suzanne) Holden and Melissa (Steve) Inman, all of Grafton; two grandchildren, Ryan (Chelci) Holden of Mt. Vernon and Jozie Holden (Patrick Hartnett) of Fieldon; two great-grandchildren, Rylee Jo Holden of Mt. Vernon and Viktor Hartnett of Fieldon; a sister, Debbie Murphy of Golden Eagle; a sister-in-law, Kim Droege; and his nieces and nephews, Traci McCluggage and Kenny Droege, both of Golden Eagle, and Kayla Turner of Jerseyville.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Dennis Droege.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m., Monday, June 22, 2026, at Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville, where funeral services will be conducted at 10 a.m., Tuesday, June 23, 2026.

Burial will follow at White Cemetery near Otterville, with full military honors.

Memorials may be given to the Golden Eagle Youth Trap Team on their website or with check to:

Golden Eagle Youth Trap Team

P.O. Box 54

Brussels, IL 62013

John's family will forever remember him as a dependable, hardworking man whose quiet strength, generous heart, and unwavering love for his family left a lasting mark on all who knew him.