William C. Kuehl

William Carder Kuehl, 85, of Bristol died Thursday July 25, 2022 at his home. Bill was born October 5, 1936 in Elkhart, Indiana to Donald M. Kuehl and Cecelia (Abroham) Kuehl.      

He is survived by his loving sister, JoAnn (Kuehl) Williams and brother-in-law, Gary and niece and nephew and their spouses, Kim (Williams) and Sheldon Bailiff; Tobin and Kim (Wollborg) Williams and his great-nephews, Trevor and Cameron Williams, Carson and Chase Bailiff. Bill also leaves behind his friends and devoted caregivers at the ADEC senior men’s group home in Bristol.

As a child, Bill attended school at the Center for Retarded Children in Elkhart, Indiana, which was started by his parents in 1952 due to the lack of educational opportunities for mentally handicapped children. As a result of his parent’s continued efforts, as well as the help and support of many families, businesses and other organizations, Bill and many others in the handicapped community were able to spend their adult lives working at The Sheltered Workshop, which was founded in 1958. It has since blossomed into the multifaceted Association for the Disabled of Elkhart County, established in 1976 and known as ADEC. Bill’s family extends special thanks for the ADEC experience and for the years of love and care to Bill’s ADEC family.

Throughout his life, Bill was an avid sports fan. He was a season ticket holder for all Elkhart High School basketball games and dedicated fan of Notre Dame’s Fighting Irish. Bill was “up and ready” for all activities: bowling, basketball, Ride-A-Bike, Special Olympics, fishing, acting in plays, etc.  He also served as an acolyte at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Elkhart. Bill especially loved spending time with his devoted aunts, Mary and Victoria Abroham. Bill was a special part of his family and community and will be deeply missed.

A memorial service for Bill will be held Monday, August 8, 2022 at ADEC in Bristol at 19670 S.R. 120, Bristol, Indiana at 10am. A gathering of family and friends will follow from 11am-1pm. Burial will take place later that afternoon at 2pm at the St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park in Granger.

The family asks that any donations be made in memory of Bill to ADEC, so their wonderful work may continue. ADEC at 19670 S.R. 120; Bristol, IN 46507 www.adecinc.com

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of William C. Kuehl, please visit our floral store.