George Arthur Kahl

GEORGE ARTHUR KAHL

JERSEYVILLE - George Arthur Kahl, 83, passed away peacefully in his home surrounded by family on Sunday, September 28, 2025.

He was born on January 30, 1942, one of 14 children to the late Ralph Joseph “Rollie” Kahl and Emma “Emily” Elizabeth Kahl.

In 1965 George was hired at the Glass Works in Alton, becoming a member of the Glass Blowers Association Union, and worked there until they closed. He then went to work at Owens-Illinois in Godfrey and became a member of the International Association of Machinists Union in 1986, working in the machine shop until retiring in 2006.

He was a proud veteran, serving in the Army as an expert rifleman (M14) stationed in Germany.

George brought love and laughter wherever he went, and he was always there to help anyone, making friends and meeting family often. He was the favorite to everyone and was always smiling.  To know George was to love him.  He was an active community member.  He was known as quite the dancer and taught many to dance. His passion was tending to his garden and showing all his daylilies.  He was a proud member of the Mississippi Valley Garden Club and Daylily Club. His devotion to family was unmatched,

He married Mary Catherine (Baecht) on April 8, 1971 in Alton. They shared 44 years together before her death, and their marriage was blessed with three sons. Mary preceded him in death on January 15, 2016, but he made sure her memory lived on through photographs and stories he passed along.

Surviving are his two sons, Aaron J. (Sally) Kahl and Christopher G. (Jennifer) Kahl; eight grandchildren, Matthew (Sara Burney) Lieder, Benjamin Kahl, Hannah Kahl, Kirstin Whitlatch, Ashlyn Schloz, Bryce Scholz, Kyle (Lucy St. John) Kahl, and Logan Kahl; brothers and sisters, Robert Kahl, Sr., Sue (Mitch) Bryant, Walt Kahl, Wilma (John) Gibson, Judy Rosentreter, Edith (Pat) Reed, John Kahl(Sandy Trump), Jimmy Kahl(Leola Still), and Donny (Margie) Kahl; as well as his sisters-in-law, Verna Kahl and Karen Weishaupt. 

He was preceded in death by his parents; beloved wife, Mary; son, Keith A. Kahl; and brothers and sisters, Eleanor (Tom) Whitlow, Alice (Grover) Turner, Bill Kahl (Margo), Delbert Kahl, Jim Rosentreter, Shirley Kahl, Peggy Kahl and Ruth Kahl; as well as brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Charles and Patsy Watson, Edward "Brother" and Louise Baecht and James Weishaupt. 

George was the most selfless man in the world, never asked for anything, never would buy himself anything just to splurge. He helped many get by and make sure everyone had what they needed in our extremely large extended family. He was selfless even in preceding his death, as he donated his body to science with the hopes that he could help others in the future. He was the favorite to everyone

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, October 18, 2025 from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., at the Life ChurchX in Jerseyville, Illinois.

 Memorials may be made to Shriners Hospital for Children or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, in care of Crawford Funeral Home, who is assisting the family with arrangements. 

Memories may be shared with the family by visiting www.crawfordfunerals.com

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