Kenny Cruthis, 76

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Kenny Cruthis, 76, of Panama, died on Monday, May 11, 2020 at 2:40 a.m. at HSHS St. John’s Hospital in Springfield.

Private family ceremonies will be held at Perfetti-Assalley Funeral Home in Panama with Pastor Gib Dealey officiating. Interment will follow at Union Cemetery in Panama with military honors. Those wishing to pay their respects may line the procession route down Calvin Avenue at 11:45 a.m. Friday, May 15. Those who wish to join the committal rites at the cemetery should practice social distancing and wear a mask as recommended by the CDC.

Mr. Cruthis was born Dec. 18, 1943, in Sorento, to Charles Vern and Josephine (Monte) Cruthis. He married Carol Marak on June 12, 1965, in Panama, and she survives.

He graduated from Hillsboro High School, then proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps. Following his honorable discharge, he worked for American Zinc for a period of time, before gaining employment with Cassens, where he would retire after many years of service.

Mr. Cruthis was a longtime member of the Teamsters Local 604 and was a lifetime member of the Panama VFW Post #6628. He was an avid outdoorsman, who enjoyed trapping, hunting, fishing and working on his John Deere tractors. Most of all, he enjoyed going to the deli every morning to have breakfast with the guys.

In addition to his wife, he is survived by his daughter, Tammy (husband Steve) Knuth of St. Charles, MO; sons, Kevin (wife Merri) Cruthis and Doug (wife Adreanne) Cruthis, both of Panama; grandchildren, Kadi Knuth, Joe (wife Sam) Knuth, Matt (wife Brittany) Knuth, Blaine (Katie) Timo, Case Cruthis, Gideon, Jaxen and Zayden; six great-grandchildren; sisters, Rita (husband Willie) Wooten of Mayfield, KY, and Brenda Allen of Springfield; several nieces, nephews and cousins; and his faithful companion, Oreo.

Mr. Cruthis was preceded in death by his parents; and grandson, Devin Cruthis.

Memorials may be directed to Union Cemetery Association, PO Box 760, Panama, IL 62077 or the Parkinson’s Foundation, 1359 Broadway Suite 1509, New York, NY 10018.

Online condolences to the family may be left at www.assalleyfuneralhomes.com.