Eugene Kahler

Eugene Sherman Kahler

"Gene"

Age 72 of Wilmington, passed away Monday morning, July 16, 2012 at his home.

Born July 23, 1939 in Wilmington, Eugene was a son of the late Eugene Norman and Anna Mercer-Kahler. He was raised and educated in Wilmington and worked as a machinist for Caterpillar in Joliet for more than thirty years, retiring in 1990. He served as Road Commissioner for Wesley Township for four years, and was a former member of the Moose Lodge in Wilmington, the Izaak Walton League and the Machinists Union. Gene also belonged to the National Rifleman's Association and the Will County Farm Bureau. In Gene's free time, he was an avid gardener, and loved spending time in his yard, fishing and bowling.

Survivors include his loving wife June (nee Bever) whom he married December 26, 1992; three children Eugene (Kayla) Kahler of Arkansas, Veronica (Marty) Orr of Wilmington and Valerie (Michael) Newirth of Georgia; four stepchildren: Ronald Scrogham of Missouri, Edward (Sandra) Scrogham of Gardner, Danny (Samantha) Chrestman of Texas and Lisa (Richard) Alsbury of Shorewood; eleven grandchildren: Jessica Kahler, Erica Orr, Isaac Orr, Christina (Eric) Romaniak, Elizabeth (Lucas) Renshaw, Timmy Scrogham, Tiffany Alsbury, Jared (Hope) Chrestman, Richard Alsbury, Calen Chrestman and Zackary Alsbury; eight step-great grandchildren: Brendon Shirey, Blaine Shirey, Blake Shirey, Sabrina Scrogham, Jeriah Scrogham, Regan Romaniak, Ezekiel Renshaw and Tyler Renshaw, with another expected in September; brothers and sisters: Thomas (the late Sandy) Kahler of Wilmington, William (Graciela) Kahler of Arizona, Linda (David) Brickey of Braceville and Ruth (the late Bill) Kunkle of California; two sisters-in-law: Jean Huffines of Park Forest and Carol (Bill) Smith of Bluford, Illinois, and his first wife and the mother of his children: Helen Ziller of Wilmington, as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Eugene was preceded in death by his parents Eugene and Anna Kahler; son Edward Irving Kahler on June 30, 1970 and one brother Floyd (Dorothy) Meredith.

Visitation will be held Friday July 20, 2012 between the hours of 4:00PM and 8:00PM at Freitag-Reeves & Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road in Wilmington. Funeral services will follow Saturday in the funeral home at 1:00PM with Pastor Danny Chrestman officiating.

Burial will be in Oakwood Cemetery, Wilmington with Eugene Kahler, Billy Barton, Eric Ryder, Jared Chrestman, Calen Chrestman, Isaac Orr and Joe Rodawald acting as pallbearers and Brendon Shirey, Blaine Shirey and Blake Shirey as junior pallbearers.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Gene's memory to Joliet Area Community Hospice, 250 Waterstone Circle, Joliet, Illinois 60431.

Friends may sign the online guest book or send private condolences to the family by logging onto: www.FRBfuneral.com

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Freitag-Reeves & Baskerville Funeral Home in Wilmington. (815/476-2181)