Dru W. Redler of DeWitt, Iowa, passed away unexpectedly on February 14, 2026, at the age of 33. Though he was born with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA Type II), he was not diagnosed until he was 16 months old. He used a wheelchair for most of his life, facing physical challenges that would have overwhelmed many. Yet he met those challenges with determination and courage. He was a fighter in the truest sense of the word — strong, resilient, and far braver than he ever let on. He endured more than most ever will and rarely complained.

Funeral services will be held at 12:00 p.m. Noon on Saturday, February 21st at McGinnis-Chambers Funeral Home, Bettendorf. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service. A luncheon will follow at Our Savior Lutheran Church, 3775 Middle Rd., Door G, until 4:00 p.m. Memorials may be directed to the family.

Dru was a devoted sports fan. Some of his favorite teams were the Michigan Wolverines, New England Patriots, and the St. Louis Cardinals. He also enjoyed watching Ultimate Fighting Championship. He was always watching sports.

Gaming was one of Dru’s greatest joys. He especially loved his Xbox, playing for as long as his hands were strong enough to hold the controller. As SMA progressed and his hands grew weaker, he eventually had to stop playing altogether — something that was not easy for him. His setup was uniquely Dru — often with two computer monitors going at once, one playing World of Warcraft while the other scrolled the internet, all while his television ran Xbox in the background. He loved being surrounded by the worlds he explored and created.

Throughout high school, Dru was a proud member of the A Capella choir. Music brought him joy, and he cherished the opportunity to travel to Washington, D.C. with the choir — a trip that remained a special memory.

He admired the Marvel character Wolverine for his toughness and resilience, qualities that reflected his own life. He also loved collecting items that interested him and took pride in the collections he built over the years.

Dru’s life was marked by perseverance, quiet courage, and a strength that inspired those who knew him. He will be remembered not only for the things he loved, but for the way he faced life — with grit, heart, and unshakable resilience.

Throughout Dru’s life, he was active in supporting several organizations including the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Families of SMA, and the American Foundation of Suicide Prevention.

Those left to honor his memory are his parents, Jeff & Michele Moritz; brother, Tyler Moritz of Bettendorf, IA; maternal grandparents, Joyce Runge of Clinton, IA; John (Shari) Redler of El Mirage, AZ; aunts, Lisa (Berry) Skaaland and Dena Redler; uncles, Dallas Koch and Miguel Hernandez; and cousins that he loved so much.

He was preceded in death by his sister, Jayne Marie Moritz; aunt, Mandy Hernandez; paternal grandparents, Donald & Mary Moritz; and his best friend, Dan Schimerowski.

To his mom, Dru was her greatest blessing and her constant. Though her heart is broken, her love for him will never fade.