Dennis Mikel Erdahl, born March 1, 1951, passed peacefully Sunday, Oct. 23, 2022, at the age of 71, at Franciscan Health Lafayette.
Dennis was born in Wabash to the late Floyd and Marjory Erdahl Rice. He graduated from Wabash High School in 1969 and joined the Air Force soon after. He served four years with the AFCS. He spent two years overseas during the Vietnam War affiliated with several combat units serving in communications.
Following his service to his country, Dennis attended and graduated from University of South Florida with degrees in finance and accounting. He then lived in Wabash for several years, where he raised his two older daughters. He then moved to York, Pennsylvania and married Caroline M. Smith on Aug. 24, 1996. In 1997, they relocated to Noblesville, moving to Crawfordsville in 1999, where he raised his two younger children. Dennis raised four children in total and was proud of each one and their accomplishments.
Dennis is survived by his wife of 26 years, Caroline; three daughters, Heather Keedy of Indianapolis, Kimberly (Bruce) Smith of Lutz, Florida, and Hannah Minchin of Evansville; four grandchildren, Mylez, Roemello and Taylor Smith of Lutz, Florida and Ethan Keedy of Fort Collins, Colorado; and sister Lora (Dan) Cole of Wabash.
He was preceded in death by an infant brother, Danny in 1946, as well as his son, Zachary Minchin in 2010.
Dennis worked in upper management for many years in finance for the manufacturing sector on the East Coast and in the Midwest. He retired in 2015.
Dennis valued education and held the position of school board president for Wabash Community School Corporation for two terms. He loved working with youth and coached boys basketball for the better part of his adult life. He attended First United Methodist Church. He was well aware of the blessing he had in knowing his savior, Jesus Christ. He devoted much time and held many positions serving the Lord in the previous churches he attended.
Dennis was an avid Notre Dame football and IU basketball fan. He always enjoyed a good conversation particularly if the topic included the “Fighting Irish” or “Hoosier” basketball. He especially enjoyed Saturday morning breakfasts with his friend Kerry Hopkins. Over the years, he had a great love for the multiple miniature schnauzer fur babies he raised.
Visitation will be held 4-7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28 at Hunt and Son Funeral Home. Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 29 at First United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Brian Campbell officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to North Montgomery High School SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions), 5945 N. U.S. 231, Crawfordsville, IN 47933 or the National Kidney Foundation of Indiana, kidneyindiana.org.
Online condolences may be made at www.huntandson.com.
