George Herman “Buddy” Kuhl, 77, of Sorento, died late Tuesday night, May 28, 2024, at his home in Sorento surrounded by his family.
Funeral services were held on Sunday, June 2, at the Donnell-Wiegand Funeral Home in Greenville. Interment followed at Sunnyside Cemetery in Sorento. Donnell-Wiegand Funeral Home Assisted with arrangements.
Mr. Kuhl was born on June 28, 1946 to the late Leo Herman Kuhl and Henrietta Marie (Hermeling) Kuhl. He married Patricia Williamson, whom he met upon returning from Vietnam, on Nov. 30, 1968 at Sacred Heart Church in Livingston, and she preceded him in death in 2005 after 37 years of marriage. He was the eldest son of 13 children. During his younger years, his family moved to Bond County. He enlisted in the Marines on Jan. 5, 1966, and served in Vietnam until Jan. 4, 1968, as a radio operator, machine gunner and drove for the Commanding Officer. The medals he received include the Purple Heart, Excellent Marksman in Rifle, Vietnamese Service Medal with one Oak Leaf, National Defense Service, Republic of Vietnam Service with 1960 Device, Navy Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation and Good Conduct Medal.
While raising his family, he was a heavy equipment operator and enjoyed operating any machinery. He retired from Scott Air Force Base in 2010 as the civil engineering shop supervisor. In his free time, he enjoyed finding creative ways to fix things in his shed and his neighbors knew they could count on him to help them
Mr. Kuhl had numerous hobbies including playing cards, hunting, bowling, horseshoes and softball. He was the pitcher for the Scott Air Force Base softball team that traveled several years to compete in Colorado. He was driven by a strong work ethic and taught his children to do it right the first time. This led to practicing and coaching his children in their sports. He loved watching his kids and grandkids participate in their sports, music and other activities.
In his retirement, he loved having family at the house to ride recreational vehicles, grilling, watching mother nature and enjoying life from his front porch.
Mr. Kuhl is survived by his children, Dianah (Ted) Troemel, Tina (John) Tompkins and Tom Kuhl; and grandchildren, Trey Kuhl, Ross Tompkins, Brooke Tompkins, Nate Troemel and Olivia Kuhl
He was preceded in death by his parents; spouse, Patricia Sue (Williamson) Kuhl; sisters, Annette Kuhl-Middleton and Alice Campbell; brother, Leroy Kuhl, brothers-in-law, Charlie Spaeth and Les Mullen; and sisters-in-law, Linda (Red) Kuhl, Paula (Leroy) Kuhl and Kathy (Urban) Kuhl.
Memorials may be made to the Musella Foundation for glioblastoma research at https://virtualtrials.org/musella.cfm, or the Gary Sinise foundation at https://www.garysinisefoundation.org/, which honors defenders, veterans, first responders, their families and those in need.
Condolences may be left at www.donnellwiegand.com.
