James J. Kuhlman

OTTAWA – James J. Kuhlman, 85 of Ottawa died at 12:55 a.m., Monday, January 2, 2023, at The Meadows of Ottawa.  He was born July 4, 1937, in Leipsic to the late Wilbur "Boots" and Juanita (Kihm) Kuhlman. On April 15, 1959, he married Marcia Maag.  She died February 22, 2022.

Survivors include 13 children: Mike Kuhlman of Columbus, Becky (Dean) Brickner of Ottawa, Julie (Henry) Kaminski of Columbus, Kris (Brian) Kaufman of Ottawa, Carla (Louie) Niese of Miller City, Steve (Kelly) Kuhlman of Ottawa, Mark (Nhung) Kuhlman of Cincinnati, Joe (Susan) Kuhlman of Ottawa, Jim (Stacy) Kuhlman of Glandorf, Shelly (Jon) Balbaugh, Tracie (Leo) Recker, Jill (Ross) Alt, all of Ottawa and Brian (Kelly) Kuhlman of Cincinnati; 38 grandchildren: Andy, Eric, Nate and Luke Brickner, Kelly Laubenthal, Matthew and Erin Kaufman, Adam Kaminski, Emily, Elena and Eli Niese, Alex, Connor and Drew Kuhlman, Josh, Ellie, Jessica and Caleb Kuhlman, Noah Kuhlman, Mya, Lola and Stella Kuhlman, Zach, Marcy, Alyse and Hannah Balbaugh, Carrie, Megan, Sam, Jacob and Ethan Recker, Spencer, Audrey, Tucker and Evelyn Alt, Avery, Reese and Chase Kuhlman; five great-grandchildren; a brother, Paul Kuhlman of Ottawa; three sisters: Joan (Phil) Oswald of Pennsylvania, Helen (Tom) Hodson of Wilmington and Mary Jane (Rick) Fellers of Columbus; two brothers-in-law: Denny (Rita) Maag of Kalida and Leroy Maag of Columbus Grove; and special caregiver, Lisa Wolfe of Columbus Grove.

He was also preceded in death by a stillborn son; a grandson, Benjamin Henry Kaminski; a sister, Betty (Norm) Birkemeyer; seven brothers-in-law: Harold Maag, Omar (Viola) Maag, Danny (Jennie) Maag, James Maag, Carl (Rita) Maag, Urban (Rosie) Maag and Gene (Shirley) Maag; and four sisters-in-law: Evelyn (Harold) Wannemacher, Catherine (Harold) Deters and Mildred (Wilbur) Roof and Karen Maag.

Jim retired after 43 years at Ford Motor Company, Lima.  He was a Sts. Peter and Paul High School graduate and US Veteran serving in the Marine Corp during peacetime.  He was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Ottawa and unwavering about the Catholic faith which he passed down to his children. Jim was an avid reader and lover of history, hunting, tennis, riding his bike and fast cars.

Funeral mass will begin at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, January 7, 2023, at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, Ottawa with Fr. Scott Kramer officiating.  Burial will follow in the church cemetery with military rites by the Ottawa American Legion, VFW, Amvets and DAV.  Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Friday at LOVE FUNERAL HOME, Ottawa and one hour prior to the mass at the church.

Memorial donations may be made to Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School, Ottawa, or Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS) https://www.focus.org/missionaries/elena-niese.

The family would like to thank the nurses and staff at The Meadows of Ottawa for their wonderful care this past year.

Condolences may be expressed at www.lovefuneralhome.com.

Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic School
320 N. Locust St., Ottawa OH 45875

Fellowship of Catholic University Students (FOCUS)
Web: https://www.focus.org/missionaries/elena-niese