Mr Ivan Strilić was born in Široka Kula, Gospić, Croatia (then part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire) on 25 August 1885, the son of Jure and Matija Strilić.

He was married to Matija (b. circa 1885) of Vukovar and had two children. 

Reportedly having worked in Switzerland for a period he boarded the Titanic at Southampton as a third class passenger. He had purchased his ticket from the agent Johann Isidor Büchel, Buchs for 170 Swiss francs (ticket number 315083 which cost £8, 13s, 3d) and was heading to south Chicago, Illinois, possibly travelling with others from Široka Kula.

Ivan Strilić died in the sinking and his body, if recovered, was never identified. 

His widow and one dependent child in Kula received £100 from the Titanic relief fund.