Funeral services for a young man who died in a water-skiing accident on his honeymoon last month will be held Friday and Saturday in Florida, according to a Facebook post from his family.
Nathaniel Kuhlman married Mariana (Garcia) Kuhlman Oct. 28 and they headed to the Caribbean island of St. Lucia for their honeymoon, said a GoFundMe page set up by Natalie Burt. Just three days after the couple was married, Kuhlman died in the water-skiing accident.
Facebook posts indicate that the couple attended Franciscan University of Steubenville, Ohio. Nathaniel Kuhlman started there in fall 2018, his mother said.
“Nate was a wonderful husband, friend, son, and brother in Christ. He was able to thoughtfully encounter every person he met and those who had the blessing of a relationship with him would be able to tell a list of stories detailing what a fun, kind, and adventurous soul he was,” said another GoFundMe established by Jack Briggs. “Nate tragically lost his life three days after his wedding. Words cannot describe the heart break there is for his story and for his family. We kindly ask for help to assist for funeral cost and travel of the family.”
Briggs was described by Kuhlman’s parents as his “household brother.”
On Nov. 1, Kuhlman’s mother, Heather, posted that his family was on their way to St. Lucia. When she announced his funeral services Thursday, she said that she found quotes from her son in his journal.
“I want Jesus to be my greatest love, that when I die, I would be attached to nothing and run into the arms of my deepest love,” he said, according to her post.
Kuhlman’s family also acknowledged both GoFundMe accounts this week and said that more than $100,000 has been raised to cover travel expenses and others costs related to Kuhlman’s passing.
“The words, ‘thank you’ don’t even come close to the heartfelt appreciation of your generosity,” they said. “God bless each of you and let us continue to pray for the family, Mari and all who loved Nate.”
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there was an average of 463 deaths per year during 2015–2017 involving injuries from recreational and nonrecreational use of watercraft.