Mary Louise (Franklin) Drost

Mary Louise (Franklin) Drost, of Republic passed away on Feb. 10, 2026, in Republic.
She was born on July 25, 1928, in Mahaska County, Iowa. She was the daughter of Ray and Gertrude (Voss) Franklin. She graduated from Oskaloosa High School in 1946. She was united in marriage to Shirley “Short” James Drost on Dec. 6, 1947, in Oskaloosa, lowa.
She worked for Sears for 30 years before retiring. She and Short then moved to Republic in l989. She and Short were married 66 years when he passed away in January of 2014. She was a member of the Hood United Methodist Church.
She is survived by her daughter and her husband, Linda and Jerry Van Wyk; one grandson and his wife; four great-grandchildren; three great-great-grandchildren; along with many nieces and nephews and other extended family; and church family and many friends.
She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; brothers, Dwight Franklin and Roy Franklin.
Visitation with the family was from 10-11 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 14, at Meadors Funeral Home, and will be immediately followed by the funeral at 11 a.m.
Burial will be at Forest Cemetery in Oskaloosa, Iowa. The Bates Funeral Chapel is handling the burial arrangements.
Arrangements are under the direction of Meadors Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.meadorsfuneralhome.com.