John William "Bill" Drennen

FUNERAL HOME

Langham Funeral Home, LLC

48 South Street

Auburn, New York

John Drennen Obituary

AUBURN < John William "Bill" Drennen, 88, of Schwartz Towers, 90 North St., Auburn, passed away, Tuesday, May 6, 2008 at his home with his family by his side. Born in Auburn, he was the son of the late Joseph and Elizabeth Curry Drennen. Bill attended Auburn Business School and from 1939 to 1941, worked for the former M.D. Greene Lumber Co. He was a World W II Army veteran serving from 1942 to 1945 in the European Theatre of Operation. Following the war, he returned as president at the lumber company, which was called O.H. Greene Lumber Co. until it closed in the late 1970s. He then worked at Auburn Lumber Company until his retirement in 1986. Bill was very active in the Auburn community. He was a member for more than 72 years at First Presbyterian Church, where he served as deacon, elder and trustee; a member of the Owasco Yacht Club for more than 40 years, where he spent many happy hours; past president of the Auburn Rotary Club; former board director of "The Home" for more than 20 years; and he served on the Auburn and Cayuga County Planning Boards for 10 years. Bill also was director at the former Savings and Loan Association for 20 years, a member of the American Legion Post 1975 and a member of the VFW. He was a driver for the SCAT Van for 16 years, and last year was acknowledged for his many years of service by naming a van in his honor. He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Edith; five children, John (Pam) Drennen, of South Carolina, Mark (Marion) Drennen, of Louisiana, Sarah (Jim) Taylor, of Skaneateles, Peter (Linda) Drennen, of Arizona, and Tom (Laurel) Drennen, of Canandaigua ; a brother Alan Drennen, of Auburn; 18 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, Bill was predeceased by his three sisters, Josephine, Dora and Ruth. Friends are invited to visit the family 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, May 9, at Langham Funeral Home, LLC, 75 E. Genesee St., Auburn. A memorial service will be Saturday at 11 a.m., at the First Presbyterian Church, South Street, Auburn. Burial will be in Fort Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, those wishing may make contributions to the SCAT Van, 17 Nelson St., Auburn; or to the Hospice of the Finger Lakes, 1130 Corporate Drive, Auburn, in memory of Bill. To send a message to the family, sign our guest book at www.auburnpub.com and click on obituaries.

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Published by The Citizen from May 7 to May 8, 2008.

Memories and Condolences
for John Drennen

13 Entries

Raymond Alger

May 15, 2008

How well I remember Bill and Al starting from as a little fellow I went with my father Willard to the M D Greene Lumber yard and there would be rip saws buzzing as one of them would very skillfully pare down a two by four or a piece of fiberboard to just the right size for my Dad's purpose and the sawdust would fly around and they were always joking and telling stories and their good humor and jocularity was never ending. I had no idea that Bill was as old as his obituary revealed as he never acted old. When I would see him at First Pres Church or at Schwarz Towers it was as if I was right back at the lumber yard but without the smell of sawdust. Al is the same way and when I would see Al on the bus going to or from the State Fair I would sit next to him and I'd hear a lot of stories about things that mattered a lot to both of us. Losing Bill is like losing one more best friend and I'll miss him too.

Bill Wade

May 11, 2008

My sincere condolances to the Drennen family. I pray that Bill is in the Heaven we all believe in. This is the time when we place our trust in God.

Richard Boedicker

May 10, 2008

I was so sorry to hear of your loss. The thoughts of many are with you at this time of sorrow.

Karen Dempsey

May 10, 2008

My thoughts and prayers are with the Drennen family. My Uncle Bill was a wonderful man and Edie and Bill spent many wonderful times with my parents, Doris and Ralph.

Debby Guild

May 8, 2008

To my cousins and Aunt Edie,
My thoughts are with you all during this sad time. I have many fond memories of Uncle Bill when I was a little girl living on Hoops Ave., at Shale Point, and when I stayed with you while attending Auburn Community College. He was a terrific man and will be missed by all of us. I'm sorry I can't be with you right now; please know that I'm thinking of you and wishing I wasn't so far away.
Love,
Debby

Dana Mitteer

May 8, 2008

My Uncle Bill left many prints on our hearts.....each and every one was a treasure given by him. What more could the world have asked of him! We will all miss him but know the gates of heaven swung wide open for him.
Sadly,
Dana and Brian Mitteer

Tom DeFurio

May 8, 2008

I'm very sorry for your loss. I knew your dad only slightly. I remember years ago when I was plowing snow near his home in very bad weather, he and your mom invited me in and gave me hot soup. It is something I appreciated, and will always remember. I went to school with John. Please pass along my condolences.

Tom

Lisa Cunliffe

May 7, 2008

My deepest sympathy to the Drennen family. Mr. Drennen was the nicest man in the neighborhood. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.

Donna Wilson

May 7, 2008

To the Family of a wonderful Man,
Bill will be greatly missed, I got to know him thru the SCAT Van and they come no better!! His smile and charm will be missed by all!!! He will be forever in my thoughts!!

Jo Anne Charles

May 7, 2008

Edie, please accept my sincerest sympathy in the passing of your husband. I met him but a few times, but he was such a gentleman and a wonderful volunteer, as you were! Again, my sympathy.

Ed Kahl

May 7, 2008

My deepest sympathy to the Drennen family. My father, Bob: brother, Dan and myself all worked at Greene's with Bill. I have fond memories of Bill, Al and Dora.

Pat Drennen

May 7, 2008

Sarah and Jim,
Sorry to hear about your dad. He was always smiling whenever I had seen him. I know Mike will miss him and his stops at the work sites. Our prayers are with you and the rest of the family.

L Eastman

May 7, 2008

My condolences to the family, I have known Bill from years past. He always had a good thing to say about everything and everyone. All the prayers and well wishes to you in your time of need.

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