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Dave Nadrasik

July 13, 1941 - March 5, 2016
Comstock, MI

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Visitation

Friday, March 11, 2016
5:00 PM to 8:00 PM EST
Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes
Kalamazoo Location
6080 Stadium Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(269) 375-2900
Driving Directions

Service

Saturday, March 12, 2016
11:00 AM EST
Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes
Kalamazoo Location
6080 Stadium Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(269) 375-2900
Driving Directions

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

Tuesday's Toolmen c/o Senior Services
918 Jasper Street
Kalamazoo, MI 49001
(269) 382-0515
Web Site

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Ambati
1830 S. Westnedge
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(269) 349-4961
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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David Nadrasik was a loving family man and a skilled worker. His knowledge and abilities earned him job promotions as well as respect from fellow employees and volunteers. Many agencies, including his church, St. Mary’s Catholic, were the beneficiaries of his talent. Dave was a wonderful husband and a supportive father who parented by example. Encouraging and funny, he was a hero to his kids and grandkids. Easy-going and humorous, he was a friend of many who consider it a privilege to have known him.

David was born to Alvin and Virginia (Michalak) Nadrasik in Toledo, Ohio on July 13, 1941. The United States was emerging from economic depression and cautiously watching political events unfold in Europe. President Franklin D. Roosevelt was inspiring Americans with his Fireside Chats, and that summer Bob Hope performed at his first USO show for troops in California.

At home with his younger sister, his truck-driving dad and homemaker mom, Dave enjoyed such activities as go-cart racing, water skiing at Lake James, camping with the Boys Club and attending Buckeye games. Growing up in Toledo, he quite naturally became a fan of Ohio State University–a passion he would pass on to his children.

Dave was an industrious young man in high school, riding the bus downtown after class to work at LaSalle’s department store. He was particularly good at window dressing and no doubt liked the construction skill it required.

After graduating from Woodward High School in 1960, Dave attended the University of Toledo for two years. More and more, his attention was being drawn to a young woman who lived just a few blocks away from his boyhood home. He had first met Corrine at her 13th birthday party, and the two had been friends for many years before they started dating in her senior year. Eventually, the loving couple married on August 31, 1963 at St. Adalbert Church in Toledo and spent a quick honeymoon in Niagara Falls. They both had to get back to work—he in maintenance and she in nursing. However, in years to come, they would share many longer vacations in beautiful locations around the world.

Dave worked in the maintenance department of Hunts Weston Foods in Toledo, where he had the misfortune of injuring his left hand. Still, he didn’t let that stop him from doing what he wanted. He even learned to snow ski in his mid-40s by duct taping the ski pole to his hand.

In 1974, Dave went to work at Murch in Paw Paw, Michigan and moved his family to nearby Lawton. That company was purchased by Smuckers then Coca Cola, and Dave was promoted to maintenance superintendent. He added 23 years to his career before retiring in 1998, but he didn’t rest on his laurels. He formed Dave’s Handyman Services, doing various jobs for many people. For over 13 years, he volunteered at Senior Services with the Tuesday Toolmen, where he was called the go-to guy. Dave simply loved making things—planters, benches and more—which was no small feat in his basement shop. He had every tool imaginable, and he kept them very organized. Over the years, many family members and friends were the recipients of his talent and generosity.

Eventually, Dave and Corrine moved to a condo in Comstock, and they also bought a condo at Coco Beach, Florida when they first retired. There, he had plenty of opportunity to golf, chat with his neighbors, sit on his deck and read the newspaper over a cup of coffee, get a morning tan and (best of all) watch fishing boats go out and cruise ships go by. For the seven years that Dave and Corrine owned the place, their four children and their families had a great place to visit.

Every summer, Dave and Corrine rented a condo in South Haven, Michigan, where he kept a slip for a sequence of boats he owned, the last being a 34' Sea Ray. Whether docking along sand dunes or at resort towns like Saugatuck, Dave was in his element on his boats.

As much as they liked the relaxed lifestyle, Dave and Corrine also took extensive trips to Australia, New Zeeland, Italy and the Canadian northwest, which was his favorite spot because the views couldn’t be beat.

Back home, the couple liked going to Miller and Farmer Alley (if it was good), watching NASCAR and the Buckeyes, and attending nearly every event in which their grandchildren participated. Dave was always supportive of their interests and passions, as he had been with his own children. With his sons, Dave had watched Craig’s drag car races, Steve’s BMX races and Mike’s BMX and motor cross races. He had also coached Mike’s soccer team and was at every track meet that daughter Carrie ever ran. His actions were as encouraging as these words that he accented with a fist bump: “Always give 110%."

Around the house, Dave was a fix-it guy and breakfast cook. He read handyman and woodcraft magazines and became quite masterful at making French toast and fried boloney sandwich with fresh tomatoes. His favorite food was coffee cake, which went with his signature drink—a good cup of coffee. He also enjoyed a glass of wine and Coke. He had an array of baseball caps and sports hats that he collected, and his constant companion Mazy (a Shiatsu mix) slept near him all the time. With his laid-back personality it was easy to see why pets as well as people liked being around Dave.

In the past five years, Dave had lived with esophageal cancer and very recently was admitted to hospice care. He died Saturday March 5, 2016 after a week’s stay at Rose Arbor Hospice in Kalamazoo, Michigan.

David Nadrasik, age 74, of Comstock, Michigan, is survived by his wife of 52 years, Corrine Nadrasik; 4 children: Craig (Tina) Nadrasik, Carrie (John) Assenmacher, Steve (Erin) Nadrasik and Mike (Holly) Nadrasik; 10 grandchildren: Jesse, Michael (Jodi), Colby, Lucas, Colin, Garet, Damon, Audrey, Zoe and Maddox; sister, Linda Holtz and many nieces and nephews. Visit with family and friends Friday from 5:00-8:00 PM at the Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler-Kalamazoo, 6080 Stadium Drive; 269-375-2900 where services will be held Saturday 11:00 AM. Please visit Dave’s personal web page at www.lifestorynet.com, where you can archive a favorite memory or photo and sign his online guestbook before coming to the funeral home. Memorial donations may be made to Tuesday’s Toolmen c/o Senior Services.

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