Dennis “Denny” James Duewel, age 80, passed away peacefully February 12, 2023 at Savannah Memorial Hospital after complications from a brief illness. He is survived by his brother’s family, Richard and Virginia Duewel of Moline, IL. As well as his three children and their families: Steve, Susan, and grandchild, Savannah Kreider, (Charlotte, NC), Arron, Andy, and grandchildren, Aidan, Asher, Allison, and Ava, (Palatine, IL), and Paige Duewel (Hilton Head Island, SC).

Dennis was born on February 1, 1943 in Macomb, IL to the late Bernice Bivens and Arthur Duewel. Shortly thereafter, his family relocated to Dundee, IL where he spent the remainder of his childhood and graduated from Dundee High School. He attended Western Illinois University after graduation.

In 1966, he put his college education on hold when he entered into military service. From 1966-1968, he served in the army at Fort Leonard Wood, MO. After completing his service, he returned to school to complete his degree in Physical Education.

On November 24, 1967, Denny married Bonnie Campbell of Moline, IL. The couple resided in Rolling Meadows, IL and Denny began his teaching career in Arlington Heights. In 1974, after completing a master’s degree in Educational Leadership, the couple re-settled in Streator, IL where he began his tenure as the assistant principal of Northlawn Junior High. He was known by almost every family in town while administrating the school’s discipline and athletics departments for 19 years. Although his sense of humor was seen by few, he was remembered for his demeanor, advice, and wanting the best for students.

Denny always had a plethora of hobbies where he learned, then excelled at the craft. He was a talented stained glass artist making lamps and picture windows. His skills as a wood craftsman extended from refinishing furniture to building a deck on a house. He hung wallpaper helping Bonnie at the wallpaper store. He built the biggest swing set in the neighborhood using telephone poles. He even rehabbed a couple vans and a house.

In 1992, Denny lost Bonnie after an extended illness. They were married for exactly 25 years.

In 1994, he took the position as principal of Centennial Elementary School. At Centennial, he had the opportunity to impact not only students but also teachers. The part of his job that he enjoyed the most was supporting teachers as they expanded their teaching repertoire in the classroom. He retired from Centennial and School District 44 in 1998 after 23 years of service to education and the families in Streator.

In 1998, Denny began the next phase of his life when he married Rhonda Rowe, his college sweetheart and joined her in Charlotte, NC. Shortly afterwards, they relocated to Hilton Head Island, SC, where they enjoyed the beach and warm winters. Although they separated in 2011, they continued an amicable relationship.

In 2018, Denny moved to Sun City retirement community in Bluffton, SC where he played golf and joined the stained glass guild. His neighbors loved chatting with him while he worked in his garage during the warm winters. He attended church each Sunday at The Church of the Cross. He kept in touch with family, friends, and former students through text messages and social media. He continued to make the 15+ hour drive, including Christmas 2022, to Palatine and Moline, IL for family visits. And for his 80th birthday, he celebrated by playing Trivia.

Denny tried new things and connected with people throughout his lifetime. And even as he aged, he relished life and will be missed by all those who knew him.