Dell E. Detweiler, 70 of Freeport passed away peacefully after a brief battle with cancer. Born June 16, 1943 in Montgomery, Alabama, Dell was the only child of Harry and Kathryn (Davis) Detweiler. After high school, Del attended the University of Northern Iowa before joining the United States Navy where he served with distinction for four years as a 3rd class Torpedoman on the USS Cubera in the Submarine Corp. Upon leaving the Navy, Del enrolled at Hawkeye Institute of Technology, in Waterloo IA, where he would go on to graduate with his Associates Degree. On October 14, 1967 Dell and Barbara Graham were united in marriage at Grace Reformed Church in Waterloo, IA.
Dell retired from Micro Switch after 34 years of service, that would take them from Freeport, IL all the way to Las Cruces NM for eight years, and ultimately back to Freeport where he retired in 2002.
After retiring from Micro Switch, Dell would go on to work at Highland Community College for 10 years in the custodial/security department. Dell loved to interact with students and facility. While at Highland, Dell spent a good deal of time volunteering with the Adult Reading Program where he mentored a number of students. Dell was very much a family man. His wife and two sons meant everything to him. While the boys were young, Dell coached little league baseball, church basketball and was active in the Indian Guides. Del was also active in his church, for a number of years Dell taught Sunday school and was active on the church council.
Dell's favorite hobbies were cards, golf, and the Chicago Cubs. Dell was a notorious card player and loved to play endless games of Bridge, Pinochle and Cribbage. Later on Dell and his son Del Junior had a long-term heads up poker game that lasted for years.
Dell is survived by his wife of 46 years, his son Del and daughter-in-law Tammy, his in-laws Arthur and Marie Graham, three sisters-in-law, two brothers-in-law, many nieces and nephews and four loving pets.
Dell was proceeded in death by his son Scott (1989) father, mother, mother-in-law Dorothy Graham, sister-in-law Linda Herd and brother-In-law Steven Graham.
A memorial services will be at 11a.m. Thursday, February 27, 2014 at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church with Reverend Mark Luepke and Reverend Lynn Hawkins officiating. There will be a gathering of friends and relatives on Thursday 10 a.m. until the time of service. A memorial has been established in his name.