Carl Leon Kirkman, 79, of Alma passed away at 4:20 am Saturday (January 21, 2023) at St. Anthony’s Hospital in Effingham, IL. Carl was born on March 29, 1943 in Golden Gate, IL to William Eldon and Marjorie Josephine (Eckleberry) Kirkman. He is survived by his wife, Frances Jane Kirkman. Carl and former spouse, Janice Kay Pruitt, had four children together. He is the beloved father to Carla Kirkman-Clevenger, Roger Kirkman, Sandra (Tony) Curtis, and Johnny Kirkman. On June 29, 1996, Carl married Frances Jane Kirkman and became the father of five additional children. He is deeply loved by Casey “Nicki” (Kevin) Elliott, Regina Blandford, Leslie Smith, Keith (Patty) Yates, and Stephanie (Erik) Sullens. Carl was adored by 14 grandchildren and 22 great grandchildren. Grandchildren, Alechia (Shane) Roosevelt, Kevin (Jessica) Curtis, Amanda (Preston) Petersen, Kyle (Stephanie) Butcher, Roger D. Kirkman, Tabatha Ridgway, Tara Ridgway, Brittany Buchanan, Dustin (Karissa) Blandford, Andrea Mallett, Myles (Elizabeth) Yates, Macy (Kyle) Shriver, Kason Sullens, and Clara Elliott. Great Grandchildren, Maddison, Weston, Avery, Abigail, Eijah, Trevor, Katie Jo, Lia, Kaylin, Ayda, Skyar, Shelby, Wyatt, Amara, Adalynn, Brilynn, Jaiden, Ethan, Brianna, Emma, Valerie, and Alana. He was also a devoted brother to ten siblings including surviving brothers, Tommy (Pam) Kirkman and Bernie Kirkman. He was preceded in death by his parents, William Eldon and Marjorie Josephine; seven brothers, Marty Kirkman, Donnie Kirkman, Joey Kirkman, Larry Kirkman, Jerry Kirkman, Melvin Kirkman, and Randy Kirkman; one sister, Patricia Kirkman; one son-in-law, Danny Clevenger; one grandchild, Derek Blandford. Carl retired from Cassens Transport with over 50 years of over the road driving. He was the owner of Kirkman Mowing Service since 1975. He loved and treasured cookie breaks with his grandchildren, restoring antique cars and lawn mowers, tinkering in his shed, playing euchre, rabbit and squirrel hunting, watching westerns, playing his guitars after being self taught, listening to country music, spending time with his family, and was a master tool maker. He was also known for his Illinois bacon and sharing his Hershey’s Chocolate. He will be forever missed, but his family holds faith in his body being restored and seeing him in Heaven one day. Funeral Services will be held for Carl Leon Kirkman at 12:00 pm on Tuesday, January 24, 2023, at Crouse Funeral Home in Salem with Mark Copely officiating. Burial will follow at Alma Cemetery in Alma. There will be a visitation held prior to funeral services from 10:00 am - 12:00 pm.