Michael Francis Drollinger passed away at home unexpectedly on August 6th, 2025. Mike was born in Cleveland, Ohio on October 10th, 1956 to Carolyn Drollinger (Bird) and Frank Miller, but didn’t stay there for long. The oldest of a blended family, he spent much of his childhood living in Ely, Nevada, with his mother and step-father Ward. He was known as a caring and protective older brother to his five siblings. His childhood was spent exploring on surveying trips with his grandfather, taking his siblings on picnics, and singing in the choir. As a student, he preferred to spend his time drawing, rather than doing homework. 

In 1983, he met the love of his life, Renee Drollinger (Truett) at The Turquoise restaurant in Bluff, UT, where she was a waitress. The classic waitress-truck driver love story, Mike and Renee met in May, and married August 27th of that year. They spent the next 42 years growing together and leaning on each other, even through the most difficult times. Renee and Mike were best friends, and loved even the mundane moments of life, like going to the grocery store and sharing a fancy coffee (Salted Caramel Mocha for Mike). 

His greatest pleasures in life were his kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids. Mike had a tremendous sense of humor, at times dry and at other times very silly. He also had a gentle heart, and loved teaching different skills. He worked hard to never judge or be harsh with his children, and filled their lives with terrible jokes and songs. He loved to spoil his grandkids and great grandkids, and encouraged them to be independent and cantankerous.

As a child, he used his one television show a week to watch Star Trek. This grew into an enduring love of all kinds of Science Fiction, and he eventually settled on Janeway as the superior Starfleet Captain. Along with scifi, he loved Westerns, especially John Wayne and Terence Hill. He also loved movies about dumb blondes who turned out to be smarter than you’d think. 

He worked determinedly at every job he held, from Rodeo Rider to Plumber and beyond. Outside of work, he loved a side project, like building a hover craft from spare parts. On weekends, his time was spent camping, hiking, or just “taking a Sunday drive.” He loved to see different sights and explore new places, and envied archaeologists. He collected knowledge, and not a day went by where his family did not hear a new “did you know…?” He loved to cook, and Thanksgiving meals were known for the hedonistic number of pies he and Renee provided.

He was very active in his community. He believed in helping others and would happily chip in on any task to help his neighbors. He was well-known for collecting strays for the holidays, ensuring that no one would be alone on Christmas or Thanksgiving. He was known as the man who would fix your swamp cooler, air up your bike tire, or lend you any hand tool known to man. Shortly before his passing, he found joy in helping cook hot meals for Solidarity Not Charity in Grand Junction. He leaves us with a legacy of care and compassion, and an understanding of the true value of community. 

He was preceded in death by his step-father, Ward Drollinger, his sister, Stacy Meyers, his brother, Robert Drollinger, and his mother, Carolyn Drollinger. He is survived by his wife, Renee Drollinger, his sisters, Stephanie Brimacomb (Curt) and Laural Bates (Darryl), his brother, Doug Drollinger (Megan), his children, Christopher Drollinger (Christie), Christopher Reynolds (Amber), Lenova Burton (Dwain), Kenneth Drollinger (Missty), Nevada Drollinger-Smith (Evelyn), his twelve grandchildren, and his four great-grandchildren. 

True to Mike’s enduring legacy, in lieu of a public viewing, he chose to donate his remains to the Forensic Investigation Research Station at Colorado Mesa University

Send to someone

Share this obituary with others

https://everloved.com/life-of/michael-drollinger/obituary/

Copy