Obituary of Ernest A. Drum

Wayland – Melbourne, FL – Ernest A. “Ernie” Drum, 89 years of age, passed away Sunday March 10, 2024 at William Childs Hospice House in Palm Bay. Ernie was born December 31, 1934 in Cohocton, NY the son of Alvin and Martha (Sick) Drum. He grew up in Wayland and was a resident of Wayland until 2004 when they moved to Florida. He loved the years they spent in Tropical Haven. Ernie was an upholsterer at The Gunlocke Company in Wayland for over 40 years, retiring in 1992. Ernie and Jean Ann Tweddell were married March 9, 1956 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Cohocton and recently celebrated their 68th anniversary. Ernie was a skilled woodworker. He enjoyed building furniture and model tractors out of wood. Spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren was also very special to him. Ernie loved to help people and he was loved by both the Wayland and Tropical Haven communities. He will be truly missed for his friendliness, beautiful smile and he will miss and be missed ever Sunday afternoon at music. Ernie was predeceased by his parents, Alvin and Martha Drum; his sister and brother in law, Dorothy (Robert) Hurlburt, his brother Charles Drum; his brothers in law, Francis Marino and Roger Colegrove and his sister in law Verna Drum. He is survived by his wife, Jean Ann Drum of FL; his children, Larry Drum (Phyllis Pate) of Charlton, MA, John (Denise) Drum of FL and Mary Ann (Edwin) Kendrick of FL; his grandchildren, Stephanie (Jason) Wheeler, Catherine Girrard, Michael Drum, Tom Drum, James (Rachel) Kaplan, Nicole (Andrew) Meade, John (Heather) Drum, Lindsey Drum (Christopher Rawleigh) and Hannah Kendrick and Jacob Kendrick; 14 great grandchildren; His siblings and in laws, Edna Marino of Hornell, Jane (Ron) Rasmussen of Narrowsburg, NY, Walter Drum (Vicki Hunt) of Wayland, Alice Colegrove of Canadice, Irene (Dean) Kiefer of Cohocton and Helen (Robert) Rasmussen of Rochester; Dorothy Drum of Dansville, Richard (Molly) Tweddell of Dansville and Sally (John) Gutterman of FL; along with many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews. A celebration of life for Ernie will take place Saturday July 27th, 2024 at 1:30pm at the Wayland American Legion.