Michael Eugene Drelich

He was born in Chicago, IL on May 13, 1948. The birth and death of this man is not nearly as revelant as all the days and nights that he lived to the fullest.

Enlisting in the Naval Reserve in September 1968 was the beginning of a long Navy career for Michael. He graduated from the Milwaukee School of Engineering and became a construction electrician with IBEW local 134 until his retirement in 2010.

In 1983, opportunity knocked when all four Iowa class battleships were scheduled for reactivation and Chief Drelich was recalled to active duty. Many of his favorite memories came from serving on the USS Iowa which is now a museum in San Pedro, CA.

Released from active duty, Chief Drelich returned to the Naval Reserve serving until his retirement in 1995. Mike served as President of NERA’s Windy City chapter as well as editor of its Newsletter for which he was awarded national recognition. He was an active member of the CPO club. His Navy career fostered a love of seeing the world and traveling which he did until his passing. His most recent trip was in 2019 to Italy, Greece and Turkey with his wife.

His dream to live the good life in Florida came when he retired from IBEW and moved to Cape Coral in 2011. He loved boating, jet skis, fishing and recently took up golf. He was also a great dancer and his favorite music was Doo Wop.

Michael was hardworking, adventurous and fun loving. He was a loving, caring and loyal person who lived a full life and we are honored to celebrate the dash between the day he entered this world and the day he left it.

Left behind to carry on his memory are beloved wife Sandra, daughter Dawn (Dan), stepson Mark (Virginia) granddaughters Desiree and Madelyn, grandson Christopher, his favorite aunt Marlene Mandl, cousin Quandee (Paul), his beloved dog Kody and many close friends.

Memorial Services for Chief Drelich will be celebrated at 2:00pm on Friday, July 10, 2020 at Coral Ridge Funeral Home, Cape Coral with American Legion Post 90 performing military honors.

Additional memorial services are being planned for a future date at Oher Funeral Home, 2099 Miner St, Des Plaines, IL 60016, with burial at St. Adalbert Cemetery, Niles, IL.