H. Cecil Lovdahl, 87, of Monmouth, IL, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 10, 2026 at Maple Hill Senior Living Center, Monmouth.
Cecil was born July 17, 1939 in rural Monmouth, the son of Chalmer A. and Rachael R. (Monticue) Lovdahl. He was raised and educated in Warren County, graduating from Monmouth High School in 1957. Following high school Cecil served 4 years with the United States Air Force as an Airman 2nd Class stationed in Texas, California, Columbus, Ohio and Greenland.
Cecil married Janet Kay Irey at the First Lutheran Church of Monmouth on March 11, 1961 and she survives.
Following his discharge from the Air Force, Cecil returned to Monmouth and worked in sales for Brown Lynch Scott, was the manager of Patton Hardware and in 1972, Cecil and his brother Jim Lovdahl purchased the Monmouth Grain & Dryer before retiring in 2006.
He was an active member of the First Lutheran Church of Monmouth and served on the church council. Cecil served as board member and board chairman of the Illinois Fertilizer and Chemical Association and served as President (1993) of the Warren County Prime Beef Festival. He also was an active member of Community Care Days, Illinois Grain and Feed Association, Lake Warren where he served as President and on the Board of Directors. He was also a member of the Monmouth Chamber of Commerce. He was very community oriented and served on various other local committees.
He enjoyed helping his family, friends, neighbors or anyone who just needed a hand. He was well known as having the ability to fix anything. He also enjoyed woodworking, was a HUGE St. Louis Cardinals fan, enjoying several World Championships. He especially loved spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Survivors include his wife, Janet Kay Lovdahl; his children, Mark (Kim) Lovdahl, Curt (Wendy) Lovdahl and Scot Lovdahl’s companion, Shesna Huff; his grandchildren, Aaron (Audrey) Lovdahl, Jacqueline (Adam) Brown, Jayne (Greg) Corrigan, Alex (Sammi) Lovdahl, Brooke Lovdahl, Justin (Sophia) Lovdahl, Emily Lovdahl and Allison Lovdahl; 10 great grandchildren, George, Mary Kate, Henry, Grace, Brayden, Nolan, Ellie, Amelia, Ava, and Jack, his sister, Becky Hartman; sister-in-law, Bonnie James; many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his son, Scot Lovdahl; his sisters, Bessie, Blanche and Elizabeth; his brothers, John, Creighton, Martin, Ted and James.
Funeral services will be 10:00 am, Tuesday, September 15, 2026 at the First Lutheran Church of Monmouth. Interment with Military Honors will be at Warren County Memorial Park, Monmouth. Visitation will be Monday, September 14, 2026 from 5:00-7:00 pm at McGuire & Davies Funeral Home and Crematory, Monmouth. Memorials may be given to the First Lutheran Church, Lake Warren or Tunnel to Towers Foundation and sent to the funeral home. For more information or to leave an online condolence please visit, www.mcguireanddaviesfuneralhome.com
