Theodore John Drews

Theodore John Drews (known to those who loved him as “Ted” or “Teddy”) was a beloved father, husband, son, brother, uncle, and friend with a great sense of humor, a big smile, and an even bigger heart. Ted passed away unexpectedly on Friday, February 19, 2021 at Bronson Methodist Hospital, in Kalamazoo MI.

Ted loved and was loved by many. He loved his wife Jennifer, whom he married on May 18, 2019, and their son Finnegan, who was born on November 29, 2020, with everything that he was. Ted was never happier than when with them in their home in Kalamazoo. He loved his family and worked hard to make sure they knew they were loved. He loved his friends, who knew that Ted was there whenever they needed him.

Ted was truly one of a kind and will be greatly missed.

He was born on November 9, 1989 in Ann Arbor MI, grew up in Livonia MI, and attended Livonia Stevenson High School and Eastern Michigan University. Ted enjoyed working with his hands and, in his spare time, could be found in the garage with his latest furniture project. Many friends and family have “Ted Originals” decorating their homes, everything from shelves to bars to headboards to coasters…Ted’s creativity took form in many things. He played hockey as a youth and through his teenage years, and started playing golf near the end of high school. On a weekend day, it was common to find Ted out on a golf course with friends, enjoying a lot of laughter.

Ted is survived by his wife Jennifer O’Neill and his son Finnegan Drews. He is also survived by his mother Barbara Drews (née Parry), his father Theodore E. Drews and wife Gayle, his sister Katherine Drews and her partner Al Perkins, his sister Colleen Tihansky and her husband John and his two nephews Dominik and Dylan, his stepbrothers Ian and Ryan Walker and their wives Kristina and Courtney, his grandmothers Helen Parry (née Phetteplace) and Adeline Drews (née Wierciak), and his in-laws John, Mary, and Margaret O’Neill. He is preceded in death by his grandfathers John Parry and Theodore H. Drews.

Visitation will be held at Manns Family Funeral Home in Livonia, MI on Sunday, February 28, from 1 pm to 6 pm. Please wear a mask and maintain physical distance. Services will be held at 11 am on Monday, March 1 for close family only due to the ongoing pandemic. The service will be available to extended family and friends via video on Zoom. Ted deeply loved his friends and family and would want them to remain healthy and safe during these difficult times.

Please share your tributes, stories, and photos of Ted at: https://link.inmemori.com/Z7eE7v

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation to support Ted’s son Finnegan’s future. A trust will be set up soon and checks received at this time will be deposited into the trust.

From the Celebration of Life Service for Theodore "Ted" Drews:

Words from Jen:

Many of you who loved Ted have asked what you can do for me and Finn at this time. What you can do is live your life like Ted did. And by that I mean make sure that you always tell the people that you love that you love them every day. Make sure that your family and your friends know that you’re there for them and they can call you any time. Make sure you be the best father that you can be. And make sure to remember that there are many things in life, like money and possessions, that don’t matter, because you can’t take them with you. All you leave behind is the love you share. So please go home today and tell the ones you love that you love them, and snuggle them extra tight.

Remember Me: Poem by Margaret Meade

To the living, I am gone.
To the sorrowful, I will never return.
To the angry, I was cheated,
But to the happy, I am at peace,
And to the faithful, I have never left.
I cannot be seen, but I can be heard.
So as you stand upon a shore, gazing at a beautiful sea - remember me.
As you look in awe at a mighty forest and its grand majesty - remember me.
As you look upon a flower and admire its simplicity - remember me.
Remember me in your heart, your thoughts, your memories of the times we loved,
the times we cried, the times we fought, the times we laughed.
For if you always think of me, I will never be gone.

Keep Me in Your Heart: Song by Warren Zevon

Shadows are fallin' and I'm runnin' out of breath
Keep me in your heart for a while
If I leave you it doesn't mean I love you any less
Keep me in your heart for a while
When you get up in the mornin' and you see that crazy sun
Keep me in your heart for a while
There's a train leavin' nightly called "When All is Said and Done"
Keep me in your heart for a while
Keep me in your heart for a while
Keep me in your heart for a while
Sometimes when you're doin' simple things around the house
Maybe you'll think of me and smile
You know I'm tied to you like the buttons on your blouse
Keep me in your heart for a while
Hold me in your thoughts
Take me to your dreams
Touch me as I fall into view
When the winter comes
Keep the fires lit
And I will be right next to you
Engine driver's headed north up to Pleasant Stream
Keep me in your heart for a while
These wheels keep turnin' but they're runnin' out of steam
Keep me in your heart for a while
Keep me in your heart for a while
Keep me in your heart for a while
Keep me in your heart for a while