MEMORIAL VISITATION & CELEBRATION OF LIFE
Saturday, February 28, 2026
at
Heritage Funeral Home
9200 S. 27th Street – Oak Creek, Wisconsin

Memorial Visitation: 10:00 AM – 12:00 Noon
Celebration of Life Service: 12:00 Noon

Inurnment Service with Military Honors will take place following the
Celebration of Life Service at Pinelawn Memorial Park Cemetery.

MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS IN JIM’S HONOR ARE SUGGESTED TO:
Wounded Warrior Project.

For more information or to donate online, please click on the following link: 

Wounded Warrior Project – Donate

James M. Drews

James M. Drews, 88 of Milwaukee Wisconsin, passed away in peace the morning of February 14, 2026.

Born in Fond du Lac, WI to Arthur and Iva Drews. He was the third of nine children. Jim lived most of his young life in the Third Ward of Milwaukee, where he made many life-long friendships. He often spent his days hanging out with friends at the Louis Drug Store where he met the love of his life KallaJean Karow. Jim and KallaJean were married in 1958 and had two children son Dennis James and favorite daughter Dana Jean.

Jim joined the United States Air Force in 1956 where he received metals for good conduct. He was honorably discharged in 1959 after proudly serving. He was grateful to be included in the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight to Washington D.C. in 2018.

Jim was preceded in death by his parents Arthur and Iva, his loving wife KallaJean, his son Dennis, brothers Robert, Gerald, and Richard and his pet fly. He is survived by his daughter, Dana (Ken) Zidek, his daughter-in-law, Julianne Drews, his grandchildren; Kenny (Gretchan Brickey) and Victoria Zidek, and Alex (Elizabeth Thompson) and Cory (Courtney) Drews, along with his brother, Ronald (Diana) Drews, and his sisters, Joan Klemstein, Beverly Cox, Elizabeth Laczniak, and Kathleen (Allan) Skramstad.

After his wife passed, Jim was fortunate to find a new best friend in Millie Rudella. Jim and Millie enjoyed traveling and spending time with each other. Polka dancing was a favorite activity for the both of them. Mike (Becky) Rudella, Maddy and Cori; Mary Kay (Gary) Swittel, Sydnie (Joe), and Sam (Emma) happily and quickly included Jim as part of their family as well.

Jim always made sure his family came first. When his children were young, he would always make time to be at every school meeting, every conference, band or choir concert. He was given the moniker “Orville” for all the popcorn he would sell to make sure his kids could go on every school band/choir trip.

One of his proudest moments was when his son, Dennis was chosen to be the lead in Amahl and the Night Visitors for the Milwaukee Opera Company.

Jim was well known for his jokes and his remarkable stories. He often told stories about his pet fly – to much laughter. He loved to sing to his grandchildren when they were young, and he made sure to be at as many games, and school functions to support them as he could.
Even as he slowed down Jim was always checking up on his friends and family.

Making sure that everyone was taken care of and sharing his time with them whenever he could. He was a very generous man, always willing to help those he loved.

Jim was very well loved and will be extremely missed.

Family and friends will gather at Heritage Funeral Home, 9200 S. 27th Street in Oak Creek to celebrate Jim’s life on Saturday, February 28, 2026, from 10:00 AM until 12:00 Noon when there will be a Celebration of Life Service. Inurnment with Military Honors will take place at Pinelawn Memorial Park Cemetery following the service at the Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Jim’s honor are suggested to Wounded Warrior Project. For more information or to donate online, please click on the following link:

Wounded Warrior Project – Donate