Zechariah "Bubba" TreDenick

Zechariah (“Bubba”) TreDenick, 33, of Plantation, FL, formerly of Wheaton, IL, passed away on October 18, 2026. He was born May 24, 1993, in Winfield, IL.

He is survived by his mother, Tracy Lee TreDenick-Fricke (née Knitter), his stepfather Mark Fricke (both of Jupiter FL), and his stepsister Ashley Fricke. He is also survived by his father, Matthew TreDenick of Batavia, IŁ, his stepmother, Christine TreDenick, and his two stepsisters, Kayla and Becca Russo.

Bubba grew up in Bartlett and Wheaton, where he proudly attended Montini Catholic High School in Lombard, IŁ (Class of 2011) and participated in football and wrestling. He went on to attend the University of Rochester (“UofR”) in Rochester, New York, in the fall of 2011. Bubba earned his undergraduate degree in financial economics in 2015 and played football there all four years. At both Montini and UofR, Bubba made deep and enduring friendships that profoundly impacted his life. After completing school, Bubba worked as an analyst in commercial real estate development.

In recent years, Bubba moved to Plantation FL to pursue his golf passion year-round. Sandy Lane in Barbados was his favorite location and golf course followed closely by The Park in West Palm Beach, FL—he loved to travel but would stop all things to watch a Chicago Bears game, no matter where he was in the world. Bubba also always remained a huge advocate for Montini Catholic High School.

Bubba leaves behind his parents; his brothers Willie Ruiz, Jim Barrett, Matt Kirsten, John Brooker, Dominick Giordano, Phil Giordano; his sisters Daniela Brooker Ransom, Isabela Brooker, and Jackie Saland; and his girlfriend, Samantha Book of Plantation, FL.

Bubba was preceded in passing by his grandfather, Raymond Ernest Knitter, Jr. He will be buried with him at Wheaton Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers or trees, donations can be made in Bubba’s memory to the Bubba TreDenick Scholarship Fund at https://www.montini.org/memorial-gifts.

Visitation will be on Friday, October 30, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM with a funeral service from 11:30 AM to 12:00 PM at Hultgren Funeral Home, located at 304 N Main St, Wheaton, IL 60187. Burial will be immediately after the service at Wheaton Cemetery.

A Celebration of Life is planned for Saturday, October 31, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM at the Arrowhead Golf Club, also located in Wheaton at 26W151 Butterfield Road.