Herman ‘Red’ Kuhl, 73, of Donnellson, died on Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025, peacefully with his family by his side at HSHS St. John’s Hospital, in Springfield.
A celebration of life, hosted by the family, will be held at the Panama VFW on Saturday, Nov. 29, at 5 p.m. The family has entrusted Assalley Funeral Home in Greenville with the arrangements.
Mr. Kuhl was born in Breese on April 25, 1952, the son of Leo and Henrietta Mary (Hermling) Kuhl. He married the love of his life, Linda Dixon, on Feb. 18, 1972. They shared 38 years of marriage, until her death on Nov. 16, 2009. On Nov. 11, 2011, he married Renee Ketchem Hadden and she survives.
Mr. Kuhl attended the Sorento elementary school and the Bond County Community Unit #2 High School. He was a roof bolter and coal miner at the Coffeen and Rend Lake mines. Later, he became a union laborer with Hillsboro Local #1084 and retired in 2011.
Mr. Kuhl was quite the prankster and could always make one laugh. He was a member of the Catholic faith and enjoyed helping anyone who needed a helping hand. He was an avid NASCAR fan, loved his Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears, along with old cars, demolition derbies and coon hunting and was a great mushroom hunter. Spending time with his family, especially his grandchildren and great-grandson, was his greatest joy in life.
Mr. Kuhl is survived by his wife, Renee; children, Nikki (Chris) Blackburn, Todd (Rachael) Kuhl, Michael Ketchem and Heather (Dusty) Crites; grandchildren, Paxton (Trent Shideler) Kuhl, Payton Blackburn, Vidalia Kuhl, Mercedes (Dillon Civitate) Kuhl, Kyla Kuhl, Treyton Kuhl, Briar Kuhl and Remington Crites; great-grandson, Montgomery Bilyeu, with two more great-grandchildren on the way; and siblings, Ruthann (Charlie) Daiber, Mary Mullen, Edward (Betty) Kuhl, David (Bev) Kuhl, Mike Kuhl and Aggie (Gary) Huston.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, George ‘Bud,’ Leroy and Urban Kuhl; sisters, Bernetta Spaeth, Alice Campbell and Annetta Kuhl; sisters-in-law, Pat, Paula and Kathy Kuhl; and brothers-in-law, Charles Spaeth and Les Mullen.
Memorials may be mailed to Union Cemetery, c/o PO Box 760, Panama, IL 62077. Please visit www.assalleyfuneralhomes.com to share memories or offer condolences to the family.
