Phillip D. Drehmer

Phillip D. Drehmer, 90, of Lakeside, passed away peacefully from this life to his heavenly home January 8, 2025. He was born February 20, 1934, in Corning, New York to Earl Clover Drehmer and Gertrude Sylvina Walling Drehmer. Phil lived a life of love and devotion to his Lord Jesus Christ. He was a beloved husband, stepfather, uncle and friend to everyone who knew him. He was a man of overflowing joy, humor and faith. You always came away feeling uplifted and refreshed after being in Phil's presence.

A celebration of life will be held at 1 p.m., Saturday, February 8, 2025 at New Revival and Healing Ministry, 480 Greenwood Avenue, Reedsport, OR 97467. We invite all who knew and loved him to come and honor his memory.

Phil was raised in a large family in Corning, New York. The Drehmer household included his parents, a brother and four sisters. His family affectionately called him by his middle name, Dale. Phil would have everyone in stitches when he shared stories of his childhood experiences and hijinks. He graduated from Northside High School in Corning, New York in 1954.

After graduating from high school, Phil enlisted in the U.S. Army where he achieved the rank of Army SP4. Phil had a deep love for the USA and those who served to protect it. After serving in the army for four years, Phil moved to Los Angeles, CA and began working in the grocery business. He quickly worked his way up the ladder into management. Phil eventually left the grocery business to forge a long and successful career in real estate ownership and management that lasted the rest of his life.

It was during this time that Phil met his first wife, Jeanne Carricaburu. They met at a dance and Phil fell in love with her immediately. He liked to say the Lord told him during that first meeting that Jeanne would be his wife. It took Jeanne a few years to receive the same message from the Lord, but as soon as she did, Phil whisked her to Las Vegas for the wedding. Phil and Jeanne enjoyed many happy years of marriage together as they worked side by side in their real estate business. They were loved by their tenants because of the kindness they showed them, like the times they cooked Thanksgiving dinner for their 29 tenants at an apartment complex they owned and personally managed.

Phil and Jeanne pulled up stakes in Southern California in 1980 and settled in Lakeside, Oregon. They took a trip up the Southern Oregon Coast and fell in love with a house that was for sale at a beautiful spot on Tenmile Lake. They purchased it on the spot, and this would become their lifelong permanent residence. The patio affords a perfect view of the annual Lakeside Fourth of July fireworks over the lake. After many years of marriage, Phil's beloved Jeanne passed away September 21, 2013.

Phil married the second love of his life, Constance Koehler, November 12, 2017. Connie and her deceased husband, Gary, had been friends of Phil and Jeanne for many years. Connie lovingly replaced Jeanne as Phil's soulmate, and they enjoyed seven wonderful years together. Because Connie is also an accomplished singer, she and Phil would sing duets at church and other occasions. Connie and her family were devoted to Phil and provided much loving support for him as his health declined over the last few years of his life.

Serving the Lord and the church were a vital part of Phil's life from his childhood days up until his passing. Phil was a gifted singer who sang regularly in church and community choirs. Phil was even blessed once with the privilege of singing at Carnegie Hall with the Palm Desert Southwest Community Church choir. He was a member of the North Bend Presbyterian Church for many years, and for the last few years of his life attended the New Revival and Healing Ministry church in Reedsport, Oregon.

Phil also was an accomplished "fisher of men." He had a cross ministry that he did on his own. He handed out miniature crosses and shared the gospel and the love of Jesus in a gracious way with people everywhere he went. Many of the waiters and waitresses in town have a miniature cross in their possession courtesy of Phil.

In addition to being a "fisher of men," Phil was also an avid fisher of salmon. His boat would be one of the first on the water and usually one of the last to come in. Whether it was Phil racing full throttle to the spot where the "bite was on," or jockeying for position in the flotilla of boats in the Coos Bay Channel, or watching him spring into action like a teenager when he hooked a salmon, it was always an adventure to go fishing with him.

Phil is survived by his wife, Connie; stepson, Gary Koehler; stepdaughter, Christine Wilson; step-grandsons, Connor Koehler; Ryan Wilson and Tyler Wilson; brother, Richard Drehmer; his special niece, Holly Welch; and many other nieces and nephews.

Phil was predeceased by his first wife, Jeanne; and his sisters, Shirley; Dolores; Janet and Judy.

Arrangements are under the care of Coos Bay Chapel, 541-267-3131. Family and friends are invited to sign the online guestbook at www.coosbayareafunerals.com

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