Dennis Mikel Erdahl, born March 1, 1951, passed peacefully on Sunday, October 23, 2022, at the age of 71 years old at Franciscan Health in Lafayette.

Dennis was born in Wabash to the late Floyd and Marjory Erdahl Rice. Dennis 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. Dennis then lived in Wabash for several years where he raised his 2 older daughters. He then moved to York, Pennsylvania and married Caroline M. Smith on August 24, 1996. In 1997, they relocated to Noblesville, moving to Crawfordsville in 1999, where he raised his 2 younger children. Dennis raised 4 children in total and was proud of each one and their accomplishments. Dennis is survived by his wife of 26 years, Caroline, 3 daughters, Heather Keedy of Indianapolis, Kimberly (Bruce) Smith of Lutz, Florida, and Hannah Minchin of Evansville and 4 grandchildren, Mylez, Roemello, and Taylor Smith of Lutz, Florida and Ethan Keedy of Fort Collins, Colorado. He is also survived by his 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. Dennis 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 from 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, October 28 at Hunt and Son Funeral Home. The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, October 29 at First United Methodist Church, with Rev. Brian Campbell officiating. Memorial contributions in lieu of flowers in Dennis' memory may be made to: North Montgomery High School SADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions), 5945 N US Hwy 231, Crawfordsville, IN 47933 or The National Kidney Foundation of Indiana, kidneyindiana.org. Online