David Donald Kehl

On Thursday, December 11, 2025, at the age of 64, David “Dave” Donald Kehl passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by his family and beloved cats, following a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer.

Dave is survived by his wife, Marianne; daughters Christine, Dana (JD), Brooke (Michael), and Audrey (Aaron); grandchildren Alexander, Ava, Éowyn, Camden, and George; sisters Neysa and Amy; stepmother Jennifer; and former spouse Mari (Nelson), the mother of Christine and Dana. He was preceded in death by his mother, Adela (Collett) Kehl; his father, Donald Kehl; and his brother-in-law, John Tennis.

The son of Donald and Adela (Collett) Kehl, Dave was born on August 24, 1961, in Darien, Illinois. The second of three children, he adored his parents and sisters. He was a loving, hard-working boy who loved the outdoors, frequently camping and fishing.

In 1987, Dave’s first marriage to Mari blessed him with two loving daughters, Christine and Dana. In 2001, Dave met and fell in love at first sight with the love of his life, Marianne. They married in 2004 and seamlessly blended their families, blessing him with two more daughters, Brooke and Audrey.

A man who worked hard and never made excuses, Dave dedicated nearly four decades to House of Rental, where he became the company’s most knowledgeable and reliable employee.

Dave was a devoted fan of the Chicago Bears, Cubs, Bulls, and Blackhawks, remaining loyal to his teams regardless of the season and perpetually optimistic about their chances to win championships each year.

Dave was a tough guy with a heart of gold—a strong and clever man who could fix almost anything and wasn’t afraid to cry. He loved picking out the perfect birthday cards based on how much they made him tear up. His big heart made him a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, and a beloved member of Wildwood Presbyterian Church (WPC) and his neighborhood community.

Dave generously gave his time serving as president of the Idlewild Homeowners’ Association for many years and in numerous roles at WPC, including working overnight at PADS homeless shelter, mentoring high school seniors, and serving as a Church Elder. As a longtime member of the WPC choir, his beautiful bass voice could be heard in countless services and celebrations. He helped in any way he could and was truly loved by all who knew him.

A visitation will be held at 12:00 PM with memorial service on Saturday, January 17, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. at Wildwood Presbyterian Church in Gages Lake, Illinois.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Wildwood Presbyterian Church, Address: 18630 W Old Gages Lake Rd, Grayslake, IL 60030