David J. Drella, 80, a lifelong resident of Krakow, passed away peacefully Wednesday, November 8, 2023, surrounded by his loving family. He was born June 25, 1943, the son of Raymond and Florence (Maternoski) Drella and was a 1961 graduate of Pulaski High School.

On April 23, 1966, Dave married the love of his life, Carol (Dinse) Magiary at Assumption B.V.M. Church in Pulaski. Dave had been employed at Paper Converting Machine Co. for 27 years. In addition, he and Carol owned and operated Drella Homes together for over 20 years and built many homes in the area.

Along with his passion for God and family Dave also loved trains, old International tractors, fast classic cars, as well as hunting and fishing. In his retirement years he volunteered countless hours at the National Railroad Museum, serving as the engineer on the train ride. For the past 21 years, Dave and Carol continued to live in Krakow on their "Slice of Paradise," where he built their retirement home and loved watching the deer and the birds.

Survivors include his wife, Carol; three children: Georgia (Mark) McCole, Pulaski, Daniel (Teri) Drella, Green Bay, Tammy (Andy) Parry, Fremont; seven grandchildren: Dani (Matt) Bauer, Noah and Nathan Kroll, Alexa Parry, Lily, Xavier, and Brody Drella; five sisters: Audrey (Gordon) Aprill, Rose (Roger) Wirtz, Virge Luepke, Terry Denissen, and Ruth (Brian) Hoppe; two goddaughters: Julie (Maternoski) Desimpelare and Wendy (Rudnick) Herlache. He is further survived by Carol's family, which includes sisters-in-law: Lorraine Dinse, Delores Dinse, and Loretta Pleshek, and many nieces and nephews, other relatives and friends.

Dave was preceded in death by his parents; a brother-in-law, Jerry Denissen; his father-in-law and mother-in-law: Andrew and Anna Dinse; brothers-in-law: Al (Shirley) Dinse, John (Pat) Dinse, Bill, Ron, and Ken Dinse, and Pete Pleshek; a sister-in-law: Ruth (Andrew) Davidson; and a nephew, Todd Dinse.

Friends are invited to gather with the family at St. Casimir Church, Krakow, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 24 ^th . The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m. at the church, Fr. Carmen Scuderi, O.F.M. presiding. Private family interment will take place in the parish cemetery at a later date.

The family extends a special thank you to Fr. Carmen for his many comforting visits. Dave looked forward to them and they brought him much peace. They would also like to offer their gratitude to Mary Rodgers at St. Casimir Parish and to HSHS St. Vincent Oncology and St. Clare Hospital for their compassionate care.

Online Condolences may be expressed at www.marnochafuneralhome.com or on the Marnocha Funeral Home Facebook page.