Arthur E. Drew

Arthur Ellsworth Drew, Fredonia, (Delaware Twp.) passed away Thursday afternoon, October 16, 2025, at the Villas at St. Paul's Home, Greenville.,  He was 85.

Arthur was born in a farmhouse in Lake Township, Stoneboro,  on July 13, 1940,  to Ralph Ellsworth Drew and Ethel Mary Canon Drew. He graduated from Fredonia - Delaware High School in 1960 and subsequently graduated from Ora-Jean Barber School in Erie, obtaining his barber license at the end of that training. He entered the United States Air Force, serving from 1963 to 1967, including a time in the Philippines and Vietnam. He was always very proud of his Air Force service, receiving numerous commendations, medals, and ribbons for outstanding performance. One commendation reflected that he assumed supervisory responsibilities far in excess of his grade. His commander received innumerable letters from field commanders praising his outstanding support, noting that his vast technical background was not typically found in officers with many more years of experience.

He obtained his private pilot license while in the military and, when stateside, once again received training in Chicago, Los Angeles, and Panama City, FL to obtain aviation ratings to include commercial, flight instructor, flight instrument instructor, multi-engine rating, Lear Jet certification, flight engineer certification, and other certifications. He then worked as a pilot and flight instructor for Chadderton Air Service in Sharon, flying a twin-engine Cessna Skymaster for the charter work. He then owned and operated Drew's Air Service at the Port Meadville Airport in Meadville where he owned three Cessna 150 trainer planes, one equipped for instrument training, one Cessna 4 place 172, one Aeronca Champ and one twin engine Cessna 310 giving flight lessons and charter service to Meadville businesses to include the Talon Zipper Company, Dad's Dog Food and many others.

He loved traveling, including over the years a trip to Europe, a Caribbean cruise, and flying to numerous sites in the United States,  including a flight in his own Cessna 210 to Alaska

He worked as an Industrial Electrician for over 25 years at the RD Werner Ladder Company in Greenville, PA, and Cooper Bessemer in Grove City, PA

Other employments included owning and driving a semi truck, owning and operating a crop dusting Cessna Husky in Texas, owning and operating Drew's Food Service truck at auctions, bluegrass festivals, ice fishing tournaments, and all sorts of functions, and raising beef cattle.

In retirement, he spent approximately 11 years babysitting four of his grandchildren daily, and sometimes volunteered as a school field trip chaperone. He was a master mechanic, electrician, and clever manipulator of anything that required fixing. His children always reflected that if he couldn't fix something, then that something was not fixable.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Cheryl James Drew, whom he married on June 21, 1969. daughter Lisa Kropinak (Tony) and granddaughter Adalyn, son Darren Drew (Kristen) and children, Freeland Drew, Evelyn Drew, Cameron Crouch, Alysson Perot (James), and son Atticus, Katelyn Crouch and son Rowdy, Marissa Couch (James) and son Christopher, and daughter Maylie, Victoria Culver (Craig), and sons Cannon and Cohen, and son Kevin Drew(Crystal) and sons Kaden (Izzy), Cameron, and Konrad. He is also survived by his sisters, Darlene Ebbert, Mary Mitchell (Noel), brother-in-law, David James, sister-in-law Rita Engstrom (James), Aunt Dolores Drew, along with numerous cousins, nieces, and nephews.

In addition to his parents, he was pre-deceased by his brothers Charles Drew and Ralph Drew, brother-in-law, Jay Ebbert, and sister-in-law, Sherry James.

He was a lifelong member of Emmanuel Christian Church, Stoneboro, and was baptized September 20, 1953, by Pastor Tom Martin. He was also a member of the Reynolds VFW, Greenville, PA.

The funeral service will be held on Monday, October 20, 2025, at 11:00 AM at the Emmanuel Christian Church, 4495 Greenville - Sandy Lake Road, Stoneboro, with Rev. Timothy Clark, pastor of the church, officiating.  He will be laid to rest at the Millbank Cemetery with Military honors accorded by the Reynolds VFW Post 7599.    The visitation will be held at the church on Saturday, October 18, 2025 from 11:00 AM  - 3:00 PM and on Monday from 10:00 AM until 11:00 time of service.

ln lieu of flowers, memorials can be sent to Deep Valley Christian Service Camp in care of the Jerusalem Christian Church, 560 Donation Road, Greenville, PA. 16125.

The Family would like to offer a special thanks to Sheila Wasser, social worker at St Paul Home in Greenville, Bobbi Larkin, a home health care aide for several years and trusted companion, and the Mercer County Veterans offices and clinics.

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