Michael Benjamin Driessche, age 81, of Tecumseh, MI, passed away at ProMedica Toledo Hospital surrounded by his family on Wednesday, April 23, 2025. He was born in Monroe, MI, on January 2, 1944, the son of the late Benjamin Franklin and Clara Helena (Hagen) Driessche. Mike attended St. Mary’s Catholic Grade School in Monroe, MI. He graduated from Monroe Catholic Central High School in 1961 and then went on to attend Ferris State College for two years. He was joined in marriage with Jan Hoffer in Monroe, MI, on September 9, 1977, and they enjoyed forty- seven years together.
Mike was an Army veteran, and after his honorable discharge he went on to become a supervisor in the corrugated paper industry, from which he retired in 2009, after forty-six years of employment. He was a very proud grandpa to three grandchildren and was their greatest fan for all their sporting events. He was an avid University of Michigan fan, and he loved traveling to his cabin up north, at Mack Lake. Mike was a faithful Catholic, family was important to him and he had a special place in his heart for Sadie, his four-legged companion.
In addition to his wife, Jan, Mike is survived by his daughter, Sarah (Greg) Abbott; his grandchildren, Ben, Gabe and Ashleigh Abbott of Tecumseh, MI; his son, Michal A. Driessche; his brothers-in-laws, Melvin (Donna) Hoffer, Edward (Susan) Hoffer, Larry Stahl, Woodrow (Melinda) Hoffer and Gary Cornoyer; his sister-in-law, Carol Driessche; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ben and Clara; and his brothers, Ronald and John.
A funeral Mass for Mike will be held at 12:00pm on Wednesday, April 30, 2025 at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, in Tecumseh, MI with Fr. Daniel Wheeler as Celebrant. Visitation will take place at the Tecumseh Chapel of Handler Funeral Homes from 4pm to 8pm on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 with a prayer service at 7:00 pm and visitation will also be from 11am until the time of the funeral Mass on Wednesday at the church. Interment will follow at Brookside Cemetery, in Tecumseh, MI with military honors performed under the auspices of the Tecumseh American Legion Post #34 and VFW Post #4187. Arrangements are under the care of the Tecumseh Chapel of Handler Funeral Homes.