Jacob Michael Kuckelman, 29, Olathe, KS passed away unexpectedly on Wednesday, October 22, 2025, at his home as a result of complications of diabetes. Jacob bravely battled Type 1 diabetes since his November 2013 diagnosis.
Mass of Christian burial will be at 10:00 am on Wednesday, October 29 at Church of the Ascension, 9510 W. 127th St., Overland Park, KS. The Funeral Mass for Jacob will be livestreamed and can be viewed at https://kcascension.org/communications/live/
Interment will follow in Resurrection Cemetery, Lenexa, KS. The rosary will be prayed at 4:00 pm followed by visitation until 7:00 pm on Tuesday, October 28 at Church of the Ascension. Memorial contributions are suggested to Breakthrough T1D, to be used in the research of treatments and a cure of Type 1 diabetes. Memorial donations can also be made to the Washburn University School of Law designated for the “Jacob Kuckelman Memorial Scholarship”
Jacob was born July 12, 1996, in Merriam, KS, the son of Michael J. Kuckelman and Jo Ellen Kerby. Jacob lived in Overland Park, KS until 2000 when he moved with his family to London, England. In 2007, Jacob moved with his family to Olathe, KS. After attending Kansas State University and Washburn University School of Law, Jacob returned to Olathe, KS in 2022.
Jacob attended St. Mary’s Catholic School and St. Anthony’s Catholic School in Hampstead, London, England. After returning to the U.S. in 2007, he attended Ascension grade school in Overland Park, KS. In 2015, Jacob graduated from Rockhurst High School.
After graduating high school, Jacob attended Kansas State University and graduated in 2019. While at K-State, Jacob was a member of Sigma Chi fraternity where he served as President and made life-long friends. Jacob was a member of the K-State Mock Trial team where he developed a love for the law.
After graduating from K-State in 2019, Jacob took a gap year intending to spend the year traveling, but while in Singapore in 2020, Jacob was forced to return to the U.S. due to Covid travel restrictions. After Covid cut his year of travel short, Jacob moved to his family’s farm in Atchison County, KS where he enjoyed the great outdoors and awaited the start of law school.
Jacob pursued his love of the law when he enrolled in law school at Washburn School of Law, Topeka, KS. Jacob earned his Juris Doctor degree, graduating from Washburn Law in 2023. Five days prior to his death, Jacob was honored by the Washburn Law School along with his father, brother, uncle and cousin as the Legacy Family of the Year.
After graduating law school, Jacob went to work as a prosecutor serving as an Assistant District Attorney at the Douglas County, Kansas District Attorney’s Office. In 2024, Jacob joined the Kuckelman Torline Kirkland law firm where he practiced law until his death. During his time at the KTK firm, Jacob and his Dad had the opportunity to appear together in court, which they both greatly enjoyed.
Jacob was a friend to all he met. He was a kindhearted gentleman with a great sense of humor. His witty text messages and his Snapchats were legendary. Jacob will be sorely missed by all who knew him.
Survivors include his mother, Jo Ellen Kerby, Overland Park, KS, his father, Michael J. Kuckelman, Overland Park, KS, his grandmother, Virginia Kuckelman, Atchison, KS, a sister, Sara Kuckelman Mercurio, M.D. (Michael), Overland Park, KS, a brother, Matthew Kuckelman, Topeka, KS. He is also survived by numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and his loyal canine companion, Sadie.
He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Marlin and Elta Kerby and Gerald Kuckelman and a cousin, Scott Barker.