Celebrating the life of Nicholas Thomas (Nick) Dreistadt
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Obituary for Nicholas Thomas (Nick) Dreistadt
Nicholas Thomas (Nick) Dreistadt, age 90, of Charleston, Illinois, formerly of Oakland, Illinois, passed away on Sunday, October 23, 2016, at 9:45 p.m. Nick was born June 4, 1926, in Penn, Pennsylvania, the son of Nicholas P. and Sophie( Hoak) Dreistadt.
He is survived by his wife: Ruth Anne Magruder Temples Dreistadt; step-son, James S. (Deana Lee) Temples of Oakland, IL; step-daughter, Brenda Temples (John Lutz) of Ashmore, IL; six step-grandchildren: Kendall (Jon) Goebel of Champaign, IL, John W. (Katie Blakeman) Temples, Jr. of Casey, IL, Jamie (David) Schneider of Nashville, TN, Derek Skinner of Ashmore, IL, Jada (Jason Shafer) Temples of Findlay, IL, and Taylor (Dustin) Smith of Effingham, IL; six step-great grandchildren: Blakelee Goebel, Madison Skinner, Jaxon Temples, Aubree Goebel, Jemma Schneider and Aiden Blakeman; also, Shay Martin of Mattoon, who was like a granddaughter to him; two brothers: Henry (JoAnn) Dreistadt of River Falls, WI, and Bob (Georgenne) Dreistadt of Jeanette, PA; sister-in-law, Jeanne (Coach) Barr of Shreveport, LA; brothers-in-law: Tom (Paula) Magruder of Danville, IL, Jack (Deb) Magruder of Ft. Myers, FL, Jim (Carol) Magruder of Hilton Head Island, SC, and Dan (Mary) Magruder of Champaign, IL; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister and brother-in-law: Ruth and John “Lucky” Reidmiller of Penn, PA; brother and sister-in-law: Len and Dorothy Dreistadt of Penn, PA; nephew: Jack Reidmiller of Greenwood, SC; step-son: John W. Temples of Oakland, IL; step-granddaughter: Kala Danielle Temples of Oakland, IL; and his father-in-law and mother-in-law,:Glenn and Catherine Magruder of Oakland, IL.
Nick and Anne were married on January 28, 1988 in Honolulu, Hawaii and shared 28 happy years of marriage prior to his death.
Nick was very patriotic and always participated in the Memorial Day and Veterans Day celebrations which honored the fallen Vets, in the Oakland Park, as long as he was able. Nick and his buddy stood in line to join the Navy at the age of 16. Evidently someone told on them and they were turned down because they were too young. As soon as they turned 17, they enlisted and Nick was assigned to the USS Denver, a light cruiser. He served in the US Navy during WWII from January 4, 1944, to January 21, 1948, earning medals and citations. Nick was discharged as a WT2C (Water Tender 2nd Class). He participated in the last major battle, “the battle of Leyte Gulf,” in the Pacific theater.
Nick spent over 30 years in management with Fruehauf and Trailmobile, Inc. After retiring, he continued being a consultant and traveled as far as Germany. He owned and operated Video Memories, Inc., where he and his crew filmed each golfer on a par 3 hole and a tape was handed to each player as they left the green. Nick’s hobbies were golfing, playing cards with his friends, and bowling. He outscored Johnny Petraglia, a PBA bowler, earlier in his bowling career. He loved and spoiled his pets, including his big dog Gizmo, a Great Pyrenees, and Sophie and Sammie, his two little West Highland White Terriers (Westies).
Nick was a member of the Victory Church in Camargo.
Funeral services will be held Saturday, October 29th at 12:00 p.m. at Krabel Funeral Home in Oakland. Visitation will be 2 hours prior to the funeral, from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Burial will follow in Oakland Cemetery. For those who wish, memorials may be made to Oakland V.F.W. Post #3637 or the Coles County Animal Shelter.
