Paul Benjamin Dreiske

1947 - 2025

Paul Benjamin Dreiske
Born: May 3, 1947 in Chicago, IL
Died: October 18, 2025 in Lakewood, Illinois
Paul Benjamin Dreiske, 78, returned to his Heavenly Father on October 18, 2025. While his death was sudden and unexpected, his legacy of love and devotion to family and friends will carry on forever. Dreiske, currently of Lakewood, Illinois, was born in Chicago to Benjamin Dreiske and Ivelyn (Arnold) Dreiske on May 3, 1947. Two sisters Ruth (Dreiske) Schermer and Ivy (Dreiske) Anderson also welcomed him. The family moved to the shores of Long Lake when Paul was three-years-old.
As a boy he enjoyed a "Huck Finn" life exploring the lakes in his small motor boat. His mother was cautious doing his laundry because she often found worms and salamanders in his pockets. As a teen he enjoyed competitive sailing on Pistakee Bay. This love of the water was the landscape of his entire life with 52 years on the Fox River in McHenry. Even in his final years in Lakewood he relished watching the waterfowl on the backyard pond often calling people to the window to watch the activity.
Paul was a 1965 graduate of Grant High School in Fox Lake. Last month he celebrated his 60th high school reunion with fellow classmates. He even drove his convertible in the homecoming parade. Paul graduated from Judson College (now University) in Elgin in 1968 and took graduate courses at Northern Illinois University to become a certified teacher. He taught 5th grade in District 300 for nine years at Fairview Elementary School. His creative approach often got him in trouble with administrators while inspiring the "squirrelly" kids to enjoy school. Leaving education Paul worked several years in construction until discovering friends wanted to borrow him and his truck to help them move. That sparked Paul to start Dreiske Local Moving in McHenry. Over 40 years in business the company has grown to a national presence as Dreiske Moving & Storage. After his retirement, the company, now led by his children, moved to Spring Grove and expanded to an office in Indianapolis, IN. His business acumen reflected his philosophy of living, "always give the customer a little more than they expected."
In 1970, Paul married Judy Wynthein. They raised two children, Kristine Dreiske (Nate McCormick) and Michael Dreiske (Tammy Vlahos). For nearly two years Paul cared for his ailing wife until she succumbed to cancer. Paul delighted in his twelve grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
In 2009, Paul married Donna (Ackmann) Dengel whom he met during their years at Judson College 42 years prior. Paul embraced three stepsons and daughters-in-law, Jeffrey Dengel, Robert Dengel (Adriana Caviedes), and Joseph Dengel (Angie Cina) and two more grandsons.
Paul was an active member of First Church of Crystal Lake singing in the choir and performing with a gospel quartet, "Four Heaven's Sake". Over the decades Paul was committed to his daily devotional times and journaling. This often led him to deeper research on subjects that inspired him which he then presented to the men's group and beyond.
A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 25, 2009 at First Church, 236 W Crystal Lake Avenue, Crystal Lake, Illinois, at 1:00 pm. The service will be recorded and available on YouTube the Dreiske Moving and Storage page in a few weeks. In lieu of flowers, family members encourage donations to First Church of Crystal Lake or Victory Bible Camp, 64741 Victory Road, Sutton-Alpine, Alaska, 99674.