Kauffman, Ira (1911-1956)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1957 Jan 10 p. 8

Birth date: 1911 Mar 19

text of obituary:

IRA KAUFFMAN

Ira Kauffman, son of Ezra and Mary Knepp Kauffman, was born March 19, 1911, near Fairview, Mich.

On Easter Sunday morning, March 28, 1947, to [sic] took to himself a life companion, Glada Miller. To this union seven children were born: Polly, Merrill, Sanford, Sherman, Kathryn and Bertha. A still-born son preceded him four years ago.

He accepted the Lord as a young man and chose to unite with the Fairview Mennonite Church. He spent one six week term of Bible School in Kitchener, Ontario and a number of short terms later in the home church. His interest in the work of the church was always high. He served as S. S. teacher, mission board member, and on numerous committees. Last winter he served as janitor for the six week Bible School term and was elected business manager this winter to serve in 1958. He was a man of few words but a man of firm convictions.

In 1946, while in alternative service during the war, he suffered a very serious illness which meant a whole year of slow convalescence. He then acquired a more complete line of electric carpenter tools which served very well to supply what he lacked in physical strength. A few years later he suffered an illness which required surgery. On Dec. 16, 1954, after about a week's illness, he entered the hospital for X-ray which then meant a stay of 30 days. Some 20 blood transfusions were needed to sustain his life, but the Lord miraculously healed him and during the last two years he enjoyed good health.

On Dec. 7, 1956, he again became ill which was thought to be intestinal flu. However, on the afternoon of Dec.14 he suffered another hemorrhage, followed during the night by another which required a rush trip to the hospital early Saturday morning. All efforts seemed to fail and the Lord called him home early Monday morning, Dec. 17, at the age of 45 years, eight months and 29 days. Truly our loss is his gain.

Mourning his unexpected departure are his loving wife and six children who will miss him more than words can express; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ezra Kauffman; one brother, David of Wisconsin; two sisters, Anna, (Mrs. Abe Kauffman) of Mio, and Fanny, (Mrs. Elmer Gerber) of Comins; his parents-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Oliver J. Miller; brothers and sisters-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Milo Summers of Elsie, Mich., Mr. and Mrs. Clayton Miller of Fairview, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Shetler of Ontario, Calif., Mr. and Mrs. Ray Swartzendruber of Fairview, Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Miller of Curtis, Mich., Mr. and Mrs. Milton Sharick of St. Johns, Mich., Mr. and Mrs. Truman Miller of Engadine and Mr. and Mrs. Paul Chaffee of Ann Arbor, Mich., besides many nieces and nephews, relatives and friends.

We are bereaved by our loss, but are comforted when we hear Jesus say, "I am your shepherd, you shall not want."