After a recent diagnosis of Stage IV Glioblastoma we announce the passing of Keith Alan Dronberger of Lima, Ohio formerly of Beloit, Ks on March 14th, 2025.
Keith was born the much loved only son of Lee and Yolanda Kay Dronberger on May 5, 1957 in Concordia, Ks. He joined his sisters Leanad and Paula, which completed the family. When Keith was four years old the family moved to Beloit, Ks. Keith shared many stories of his family growing up. His parents were very involved with their family and this was evident from those stories. He spoke of going in his father’s highway patrol car on rare occasions and always a tale to go with those rides. His father passed away when Keith was young from cancer and this affected him the rest of his life. His mother was a very outgoing person with a zest for life. She instilled many good qualities in Keith and he truly held to those values. The antics his sisters pulled on him always made him laugh with the retelling. This helped to shape him into the easy going guy he was. Not that Keith couldn’t hold his own, he just never felt the need to go overboard with his temperament. He really was exactly as he came across, soft-spoken, friendly and treated people with respect. Whatever was told to him, he kept in confidence. He was a good friend to many. A man of few words but when he spoke you listened.
Keith attended schools in Beloit, Ks until his sophomore year of high school. His mother and he then moved to Wamego, Ks to be closer to her parents and his other grandparents to whom he was close to. Keith graduated with the Wamego class of 1975. His mother met and married George Pittnger during that time. After graduation, he attended Northwest Kansas Area Vocational school. Upon completion he return to Beloit, Ks and worked for Gray Plumbing for a few years. Following that employment he worked for the Kansas Gas Service until retirement. He enjoyed working with his hands and was very skilled in plumbing and electrical. He utilized these skills on our homes over the years. He also did a great deal of work for others. After retirement, we moved briefly to Hays, Ks and he drove a bus for the Victoria School district for a couple of years. As soon as we moved to Ohio he procured a job with ONU at Ada Ohio and drove the medical bus for a few years. Throughout his life he made good friends and always enjoyed meeting new people.
Keith met his wife Deb (Mitchell) in 1979 and they married in January 1983. To this union were born two sons, Aaron and Dylan. That's when having a calm, steady personality proved invaluable. We had some wonderful years watching these boys grow up with much love and laughter. After our son graduated from college, their education and careers took them beyond the Kansas borders. They both met and married young women on their journeys. One son in Connecticut and the other son in Ohio. We always felt the need to stay close and were able to move upon retirement. This was a major move for us, never living anywhere other than Kansas. We adore our grandchildren and it was such a great decision to move closer to them and watch them grow.
Preceding Keith in death, his parents, Lee and Kay grandparents, Ernest & Cora Ladner, Russell (Alice), Lydia Dronberger. His step-father George Pittenger, in laws, J.D. & Evelyn Mitchell. Our beloved pets, Niki and Riley.
Left to mourn his passing, his wife, Deb, sons Aaron (Lindsay) of Waterford, Connecticut. Dylan (Ashley) Lima, Ohio and our beautiful grandchildren Ila, Lou, and Ezra. He also leaves behind his sisters, Leanda Osborn, Paula (Doug) Rominger. Brothers and sister in laws Rose & Don Dugan, Lonnie & Michele Mitchell, Kathy & Mike Moser, Jim & Tammy Mitchell and host of friends and cousins, nieces, nephews.
Celebration of life will be held on Saturday, June 7th from 11 pm - 4pm at the Prairie Ridge Barn in Glen Elder, Kansas. Cremation was chosen per Keith’s request. Memorials to St. Jude’s Children Research hospital. We were so lucky and blessed to have had you in our lives all these years. You will be greatly missed. We love you the most.