Kevin was a loving husband, father, son, brother, uncle, and friend. He always had a smile on his face and never met a stranger. Kevin found the best in every situation and brought out the best in everyone he met. His glass was never just half full – it was full! He was loved and will be dearly missed by all that knew him. A natural athlete, he enjoyed playing golf, but his favorite pastime was spending time with his wife, Sara, and their daughters, Caroline and Ella. They were the loves of his life and he beamed with pride every time he spoke of them. Kevin never missed a game – volleyball, soccer, basketball, swimming, or track and field. He cherished cheering for his girls, whether as a Freeburg Hornet or Midget, or at a club event. He loved to travel and was always up for an adventure with his family.
Kevin pursued a career in Information Technology, and most recently was employed with Dairy Queen International. Besides his passion for golf, he was our family’s go-to guy for projects. He always had something he was working on and was always ready to lend a hand. He attended Our Lady Queen of Peace elementary school and Althoff Catholic for high school where he was a three-sport athlete playing baseball, football, and basketball, earning a scholarship to play baseball in college. He graduated from McKendree University.
Kevin is survived by his loving wife, Sara, nee Billhartz, Gagen, whom he married on October 30, 1999; and his daughters, Caroline and Ella Gagen (Jack Barlow). Kevin is also survived by his parents, Bob and June Gagen; a sister, Lisa (Bill) Lewis; a brother, Chris (Charissa) Gagen; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Francis and Helen Billhartz; a sister-in-law, Ann (Dale) Fiedler; a brother-in-law, Jon Billhartz; four nieces, Jordan (Aaron) Gerdes, Megan Lewis (Gabe Naegele), Kylie (Magnus Buschmeier), and Addie Gagen; a nephew, Ben Fiedler (Brynn Tepper); and a niece, Liv Fiedler.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the girls’ college funds. Please make checks payable to Sara Gagen. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday, April 12, 2024, at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 2 p.m. Friday, April 12, 2024, at Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church, Belleville, IL, with Fr. Godfrey Mullen and Msgr. Jack McEvilly concelebrating. A luncheon will be held at the Catholic War Veterans (CWV) in Smithton, IL, following the services and burial.
Burial will be at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery, Freeburg, IL.