Kauffman, Alvin D. (1914-2010)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2010 Dec 13 p. 14

Birth date: 1914 Sep 13

text of obituary:

ALVIN D. KAUFFMAN

Alvin D. Kauffman, 96, of Goshen, Ind., died Nov. 14, 2010, at Goshen General Hospital. He was born Sept. 13, 1914, to Joseph and Agnes (Andrews) Kauffman in Kenmare, N.D.

He married Beulah E. Good on April 17, 1938, in Cheraw, Colo.

He was a pastor at Crystal Springs (Kan.) Mennonite Church from 1956 to 1964 and also taught in the Kansas Public Schools from 1958 to 1966. From 1966 to 1976 he taught at Brookdale Junior High School in Elkhart. In his retirement he pursued his passion for woodworking and carving. He became an accomplished carver of ducks and other waterfowl. His intricately carved and beautifully painted ducks are enjoyed in numerous homes and offices across the U.S. and in several other countries. He built numerous pieces of furniture for Beulah, members of his family and many friends. He was a member of the Indiana Retired Teachers Association and longstanding member of Belmont Mennonite Church in Elkhart.

Survivors include his wife, Beulah; two daughters, Barbara Powell and her husband, Charles, of Champaign, Ill., and Ruth Zehr and her husband, Edward, of Fox Lake, Ill.; a son, Ralph Kauffman and his wife, Laurel, of Kansas City, Mo.; a sister, Zola Irwin and her husband, Paul, of Fort Morgan, Colo.; eight grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by two sisters and five brothers.

Memorial service was held at Belmont Mennonite Church, Elkhart.