Kenneth R. Kuhn

Kenneth R. Kuhn, 80, of Springfield, died at 8:16 pm on Monday, November 12, 2007 at Memorial Medical Center. He was born October 10, 1927 in Bureau County near Tiskilwa, IL the son of Irvin and Olive West Kuhn, who both preceded him in death. He married Shirley Shelton in 1949 and she preceded him in death on March 16, 1998. A sister, Eloise Shives, and a brother, Francis “Buck” Kuhn, also preceded him in death. Mr. Kuhn worked in the baking industry for 44 years as a baker and bakery supervisor, 38 of those years were Pillsbury Mills. He was a Navy veteran and a member of Third Presbyterian Church in Springfield. He worked tirelessly to support his family. When he wasn’t at his job, he gardened large plots of land, growing produce to sell or building room additions for his family. He became a skilled, self-taught block mason, carpenter, plumber and roofer. His most important task, however, was to instill the value of hard work, personal responsibility, education and tolerance of others into his children. He is survived by three sons: Thomas (Karen) Kuhn of Springfield, Gene Kuhn of Long Beach, CA, and David (Michelle) Kuhn of Costa Mesa, CA; one daughter: Sharon (Bill Dietsch) Johnson of Springfield; seven grandchildren: Bryan Johnson, Jeannie Arvin, and Kristen, Clint, Erik, Lauren, and Evan Kuhn; one sister: Dorothy Lamb of Princeton, IL; one sister-in-law: Tillie Kuhn of Princeton, IL; and five nephews, and one niece. Family will receive friends from 4 to 6 pm on Thursday, November 15, 2007 at Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St. Springfield. Funeral ceremonies will be held at 12 noon Friday, November 16, 2007 at Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, please make memorial contributions to Hospice Care of Illinois & VNA of Central IL, 720 N. Bond St., Springfield, IL 62702.