A. Earline Drum

COHOCTON — A. Earline Drum, of Cohocton, and a longtime resident of Allegany, passed away Sunday (Jan. 4, 2026) after a brief illness, at The Pines Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center in Olean, where she had been temporarily residing for the past month.

Earline was born June 13, 1939 in Evansville, Ind., the youngest of 13 children born to Joseph W. and Rachel Anna Marshall Bradley Sr.  After the death of her mother at her time of birth, and her father shortly after, she was raised in foster care.

After living in many areas around the country she returned to her birthplace and it was on Dec. 20, 1958 in Evansville, that she married Pastor Gerard “Jerry” Drum Sr., eventually making Allegany their home, where they both lived a fulfilling life.

She served her Lord and her community as a pastor’s wife and community supporter. From raising her family of five children and adoring her loving grandchildren and great-grandchildren, to supporting Pastor Drum’s ministry and volunteer firefighter, EMT and chaplain duties, she was a steady and valued presence in the lives of many.

She worked during the opening of the former Remembrance House at the mall, worked as an office secretary at Allegany Elementary School and retired as the deputy clerk for the Village of Allegany.

She is survived by five children, Gerard “Jerry” (Deb) Drum Jr. of Eldred, Pa., Deborah Balcerzak of Portville, Scott (Bev) Drum of Dothan, Ala., Christopher (Chris) Drum of Jacksonville, Fla. and Joshua (Bridgette) Drum of Cuba; 20 grandchildren, Aaron (DeLisa), Shawn (Stephanie), Nick (Kate), Jamie (Andy), Matt, Markie, Margie, Chad (Laura), Krista, Bryan, Rochelle (Justin), Sarah, Zach (Marissa), Micah (Shelby), Hannah (Austin), Ryan, Kaela, Libby, Jacob and Grace; 27 great-grandchildren, Tucker, Kyrie, Collins, Lucas, Max, June, Jason, Aramyka, Samantha, Adrienne, Jillian, Logan, Chloe, Ayden, Eliana, Gianna, Cole, Michael, Alina, Remi, Cassius, Jameson, Everett, Lydia, Magnolia, Berkley and Zayden; two great-great-grandchildren, Cooper and Mariella; a sister-in-law, Beverly Prior of Hornell; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

She was predeceased by her husband on Feb. 15, 2018; and 12 brothers and sisters.

The family will receive friends from 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday (Jan. 8, 2025) at the Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, 3128 W. State Road, Olean. A celebration of Earline’s life will begin at 7 p.m. Private burial will take place in Cohocton at a later date.

Memorials may be made to the Allegany Fire Department, Gerard W Drum Scholarship Fund, Attn: Donations/Memorials Committee, 188 W. Main St., Allegany, NY 14706.