Martin Drendel

Martin “Marty” Drendel, of Elburn, celebrated his 94th year of his life by beginning his first one in Heaven, now reunited with his wife “Lou”, who laid a path for him to follow.
Marty was born on November 18, 1922 on his grandfather’s farm, which was 2 miles south of Naperville on Washington Street. He was born to proud parents Ralph and Coletta Drendel.
Marty grew up in Naperville and attended S.S. Peter and Paul School in Naperville for 8 years. He then moved on to Naperville High School until graduating with the class of 1940. He then helped his father on the farm until “Uncle Sam” came calling five short years later in 1945.
Marty joined the 91st Navy Seabee’s and helped to build air strips in the Philippines during World War II. He was honorably discharged in 1946 and returned to civilian life.
Lou and Marty Drendel met on a blind date in Naperville at a dance where Marty waltzed away with her heart. It wasn’t long before they got to dance together again, this time as man and wife, when they were married on May 22, 1948, at S.S. Peter & Paul Church, Naperville.
They began their new life together in Naperville for a time before moving to Bristol. They called Newark home for several years before settling in Sugar Grove. In 1989, they moved once more to Elburn.
Marty worked for four years in a blacksmith shop until returning to his true life’s passion, which was farming. He toiled happily and relentlessly in the fields and tended his livestock beginning in 1952. He said a fond farewell to the farming life thirty-seven years later when he retired in 1989. He quickly found a home at the Prestbury Golf Course Pro Shop where he made friends and shared tales (some taller than others) adding the true story of his own hole-in-one on July 31, 1989. His fourteen year tenure ended in 2003, but he never stopped trying to replicate that magical moment.
Marty was a member of both the Big Rock, Sugar Grove and the Elburn American Legion, the Kane County Farm Bureau and faithful member of St. Gall Catholic church where he served as a Lector and past president of the parish council. He was a proud lifetime member, past president and recipient of the Melvin Jones Award at the Elburn Lions Club as well. Marty also manned the helm as president of the Kane County Livestock Feeders Association.
Each month for over 50 years, Lou and Marty played in their Naperville Pitch Club but Tuesday nights, once a month, the Marty and his crew went golfing and then retired to a night of poker. Marty was The “Chief Potato Smasher” for forty years at the annual St. Patrick’s Day Turkey Dinner at St. Galls Catholic Church. Although Marty loved to golf, he loved his family more. It was the times that were spent surrounded by their company that made him the happiest of all.
SURVIVORS:
He is survived by four children Ralph (Paula) Drendel, Lee (Deb) Drendel, Dawn (John) Neubauer, Marybeth (John) Althoff; twelve grandchildren Kimmi (Joey) Krupicka, Andy,Drendel, Kelsey (fiancée Brandon Mueller) Drendel, Jackie (Brian) Edlund, Aly (Matt) Ruggie, Lisa Young, Brad and Ashley Neubauer, Stacey Kulbartz and Chris, Kevin, and Patrick Althoff; five great grandchildren Andrew (Stephanie) Edlund, Frank Edlund, Jamie Young, Travis Lear and Keeley Krupicka; sisters Peggy Kames and Shirley Avery and a large family of nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents Ralph W. and Coletta Drendel; his wife Lou Drendel; one brother Vincent Drendel and sisters Rosa Cozzoni, and Helen Norris.
Fr. Christopher DiTomo, pastor of the church will officiate with interment to follow at St. Gall Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in his name to benefit his favorite charities including, The Elburn Lions Club, Kaneland Boys Track, St. Gall CCD and Decatur St. Teresa High School.. Checks may be made to the “Martin Drendel Memorial” and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address, on the Conley Funeral Home Facebook Page and www.conleycare.com.

A mass to celebrate his faith will begin at 11 a.m., with a time of visitation from 10-10:45 a.m., Tuesday, November 22, also at the church.

Visitation will be from 3-7 p.m., Monday, November 21, at St. Gall Catholic Church, Elburn.

St. Gall Catholic Cemetery