David Kihm, 81, of Bluffton, died May 10th, 2024 at home surrounded by family.

Mr. Kihm was born Sept. 3, 1942 in Ashtabula, OH to Albert and Carolyn (O'Conner) Kihm, who he lost at an early age. He was raised by his brother Bud and his wife Norma.

He married Marilyn (Neiling) on Oct. 1, 1997.

He was among the last freshman class to graduate from St. Gerard's High School, Lima; and the original Lima Central Catholic School at St. Rose, graduating in 1960. He was Senior Class President.

Mr. Kihm proudly served in the U.S. Air Force from 1960 to 1964. He was stationed at Offutt Air Base in Omaha, NE and Royal Air Base Heyford, England, for 3 years. One of his memories was serving during the Cuban Missile Crisis where 18 B-47 bombers were running and ready to go when Communist Party Leader Nikita Khrushchev blinked first, and stood down.

He was one of the original 35 employees hired at Procter & Gamble of Lima in 1968. He retired in 1997 after working 29 and a half years. Dave enjoyed Civil War history and shooting groundhogs.

He is survived by brothers Tom (Nell) Kihm, of Arkansas, and Daniel (Julie) Kihm, Tipp City, OH.

Surviving are a son, Brent (Marie) Kihm, of Ottawa; a daughter, Danielle Laing, of Columbus Grove; grandchildren, Dr. Amber Kihm; Tyler (Ariel) Kihm; Abigail Laing, and Spencer Laing; step-children, Melissa (Jason) Brinkman; Kristy (Doug) Schweingruber; Tonya (Trent) VanFossen; a great-grandchild, Kaysen Richard Kihm; nephews Greg Kihm, Douglas Kihm, and Joseph Kihm; nieces Maria (Jim) Hicks, Rhiannon (Kyle) Lewis, grandchildren Kylie & Ashley Brinkman; Makayla, Jordan and Addison Schweingruber; and Alexis and Caden VanFossen.

Also preceding him in death were brothers James and Bud; and sister-in-law, Norma (IIames) Kihm; and a nephew Daniel "Little Dan" Kihm.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 AM on Saturday, May 18, 2024 at St. Gerard Catholic Church, 240 W. Robb Ave., Lima, where the family will receive friends for two hours prior to the Mass from 9:00 to 11:00 a,m.

Interment will immediately follow the Mass in Gethsemani Cemetery, where VFW Post 1275 and active duty members of the United States Air Force will render final military honors.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to Putnam County Hospice or to St. Gerard Catholic Church.

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com/