Stanley Drab

I learned of self-written obituaries recently and decided I would take this opportunity to express gratitude for my life to God and highlight the experiences that defined me.

I was named Stanislav Drab after my father, who was killed by the Communists when I was three years old in Slovenia in 1945, along with several other family members. My mother Alojzija Drab worked tirelessly to protect my younger brother Anton and me and arranged our eventual immigration to the United States in 1957 after years of personal difficulties and sacrifice.

We immigrated through the legal process and paid back our sponsor. We worked hard and no job was beneath us to make our own way. I was a good student and blessed with athletic abilities. With the help of The Christian Brothers, who were my teachers, and several coaches who were mentors, I went to Loyola University on a track scholarship and on to dental school.

I married in June of 1966 during dental school to Camille Carsello with whom I had three children.

My first love and dream was always to be a fighter pilot, but I was not yet a United States citizen at the time I applied. One of my proudest moments was becoming a citizen in the year 1967.

After achieving my DDS degree I joined the Navy as a Lieutenant in 1968, was stationed at Great Lakes Naval Hospital and then volunteered for Vietnam duty and had life experiences during that war that changed me forever. I was learning to fly helicopters during my off time while serving on the USS Ticonderoga.

After three deployments to Vietnam I resigned my commission in the Navy and began my career in private practice while working as a professor at the University of Illinois Dental School and other jobs to supplement my income while I built my practice. I built a successful practice and enjoyed relationships with my patients that went beyond the dental office.

My first wife passed on of cancer, and I later remarried Carmen Vechart in 1986. We adopted each other’s youngest children and built a life together blending our families to this day through hard work, an abundance of love, devotion and caring.

My biggest joys in life were of course my family. We shared many of my favorite sports and hobbies together which included running, skiing, car racing, soccer, volleyball, target shooting and days on the beach in Mexico sharing sunsets together. 

I was diagnosed with heart problems in 1999, GIST cancer in 2005, a second cancer in 2006 (lung) and was hospitalized with many complications of cancer throughout the years. Never give up is my attitude.

I experienced so many things in my lifetime there are too many to list but through all the tragedies and high points of my life my faith in God was the strength I needed to prevail. And I am so grateful to have lived through all these moments.

My love for my family and friends will go on forever.

Stanley Drab passed away Tuesday, November 22, 2022 at his home in St. Charles with his loving family by his side.

He was born July 20, 1942 in Novo Mesto, Slovenia, the son of Stanislav and Alojzija (Nartnik) Drab.

He is survived by his wife Carmen (Vechart); children Richard (Margaret) Drab of Arlington Heights, Jeanine Drab of St. Charles, Brian (Colette Basil) Drab of River Forest, Haley (Timothy) Brunelle of Minnesota, and Kymberly Drab of St Charles; grandchildren Matthew, Elizabeth, Katherine, Rose, Cameron, Brigitte, and Elise Drab and Maksymilian, Ellington, and Felix Brunelle; brother Anthony (Irene) Drab of Wheaton; and many other dear relatives and friends.

Stanley was preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral Prayers will be held Thursday, December 1, 2022 at 9:30 am at Malone Funeral Home, 324 E. State Street (Route 38), Geneva, proceeding to St. John Neumann Catholic Church, 2900 E. Main Street St. Charles for Celebration of Funeral Mass at 10:30 am with Father David Peck celebrant.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, November 30 from 4:00 – 8:00 pm at Malone Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Coletta’s of Illinois, please specify Jeanine Drab my daughter at White Fence home.  And to Felix Neptune Brunelle, my grandson, at Go Fund Me (https://gofund.me/cb5a2c84) to help him get an elevator.

For information 630-232-8233 or www.malonefh.com.

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