Delbert T. "Del" Dahl, 84, of Rantoul, formerly of Urbana, died Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024, at Carle Foundation Hospital.

Visitation will be from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 26th, 2024 at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Flatville, followed by funeral services at 3:00 p.m. with Pastor Scott Smith officiating. Graveside services will be at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 27th, 2024, Moss Ridge Cemetery, Carthage. Baier Family Funeral Services, Flatville, is assisting the family with arrangements.

Del was born Jan. 28, 1940, in Macomb, to Mary (Duffy) and Adolph Dahl. He is survived by his wife Sara Powell Dahl; son Cody (Ellie) Dahl of Valrico,Fla.; daughter Natalie Colby (Justin)Thomas of Philo,Ill; and son Jeremy (Jennifer) Colby, Edmond,Okla. He couldn't have been prouder of his seven grandchildren: McKenzie and Sarah Claudia Dahl; Zachary (Madison), Andrew and Henry Thomas; and Meredith and Stella Colby. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Linda and Carol.

Del grew up in Disco, Ill., in Hancock County, except for three years spent in the Deerfield, Wis. area where his family moved to farm with relatives before returning to Disco. He showed dairy cows, acted and sang in theater productions, sang in the choir and graduated from La Harpe High School as class president and valedictorian. He was active in FFA and 4-H, and he spent his adult life giving back to the programs that had benefited him in so many ways.

As a UI student, he was the president of the IlliDell House, sang in the UI choir, and was a member of the Men's Glee Club. He graduated with BS and MS degrees in dairy science, and began his career as an assistant Cooperative Extension advisor in Stephenson County. But Del was an especially gifted writer, speaker and teacher, and he found his true calling when he joined the staff of the UI Extension Editor's Office on the UI campus in the 1960s.

In his 43 years as an agricultural communications professor and department head, he helped shape the lives and careers of generations of UI students. Del had a saying: "Give me kids who can think, and I can teach 'em how to write." For years, he coached teams of student interns who provided press coverage of the 4-H and FFA shows at the Illinois State Fair. They learned how to crank out accurate, well-written news stories on a tight deadline. In return, he promised "$25 a day and all the dust you can eat." Del also did international Extension work in Africa and the Philippines.

Del was an avid Illini basketball and football fan, and especially loved spending time with his tailgating friends. Del loved music, and his talent brought joy to many over the years. Those who heard him often praised his musical abilities, particularly his voice and his ability to play almost anything by ear on the piano. As an internationally recognized poodle handler and breeder, he published Poodle Review Magazine and wrote a book titled "The Complete Poodle." He loved friendly competition, and also showed and bred dairy cattle and quarter horses. Win or lose, he was always ready to share a Jack and Coke after a competitive show – either back at the crates or among the stalls.

His favorite moments of all, though, were the ones he spent with Sara, Cody, Natalie, Jeremy and the grandkids – celebrating their successes and supporting them in whatever they chose to do. He was always there for them.

Del belonged to Immanuel Lutheran Church of Flatville, "the cathedral in the cornfield," where he sang in the choir. Memorial gifts may be made to Immanuel Lutheran Church of Flatville or Hancock County Extension. He was proud to be of Norwegian descent, and he would surely appreciate it if friends would enjoy some lefse in his memory this Christmas Eve.