Mary Lou Aton

Mary Lou (Zilch)Drone Aton, 89, of Ridgway, Illinois, passed away peacefully on September 23, 2025. She was born on August 26, 1936, to John and Mary Louise (O’Leary) Zilch.

Mary Lou married Donald “Jake” Drone on September 7, 1955, and he preceded her in death on December 8, 1983. In 1985 she married Richard “Dick” Aton, and together they made their home in Titusville, Florida, until his passing in Feb 27,2013.

Mary Lou’s greatest joy was her family. She is survived by her children: Stephen (Candie) Drone of Ridgway; Julie (Gaylon) Stricklin of Carrier Mills; David (Reta) Drone of Ridgway; Thomas (Janice) Drone of Ridgway; and Nancy (Terry) Schmitt of Ridgway; and by her stepchildren Debbie (Ray) Wilms and Dan (Melanie) Aton of Titusville, FL.

She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren: Amy (Jeremy) Knott of Ridgway; Adam Drone of Ridgway; Jacob (Tiffany) Stricklin of Paducah, Kentucky; Paige (Rafael) Tesorero of Ladenburg, Germany; Ryan (Megan) Stricklin of Harrisburg; Elizabeth (Matt) Duffy of Wesley Chapel, Florida; Mackenzie (Brady) James of Buncombe, Illinois; Dustin Drone of Ridgway; Kyle (Ashley) Wilms ; Heather (Josh) Robinson of ;Kristen(Wes) Grimes all from Titusville, Florida and Hope (Kris) Sheldon of Valrico, Florida; Camryn Aton of Jacksonville Fl ,Chloe, Caylee Aton of Titusville, Florida; Drew(Taylor) Creel of Corpus Christi, Texas; and Mr. and Mrs. Jessie Lengefeld of Florida; and by 34 great-grandchildren.

In addition, she is survived by her siblings: Dave Zilch (Jackie deceased) of Wayne, Illinois; Mike Zilch (Janet deceased) of Colrain, Massachusetts; Pat (Jan) Zilch of Marco Island, Florida; Janet (Pete) Smith of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania; Charlotte (Dennis) Lilliensiek of Glen Carbon,Ilinois ; and Bill (Lucy) Zilch of Bloomingdale, Illinois. And Sister-In-Law Jan Zilch of North Barrington, Illinois.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband's Donald “Jake” Drone and Richard “Dick” Aton; her sister Alice and Pat McCabe, California; her brother Don Zilch; and her grandson Jonathan David Drone.

Mary Lou’s life was marked by her devotion to her faith, her warm and caring spirit, and her love of traveling. She will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved her.

A visitation to celebrate Mary Lou’s life will be held on Thursday October 2, 2025 from 9:00am until 10:45am at St. Kateri Catholic Church in Ridgway, IL with a funeral mass following at 11:00am. Burial to follow at St. Joseph Cemetery in Ridgway, IL. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Gallatin County School Angel Tree.