Kaufman, John Ernest (1898-1953)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1953 Jan 29 p. 6

Birth date: 1898 Sep 10

text of obituary:

— Rev. John E. Kaufman, 54, of North Newton, passed away early Monday at the Bethel Deaconess hospital after an illness of several years. Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon in the Bethel College Memorial Hall and were widely attended, Rev. Kaufman having held pastorates at Donnellson, Iowa, Aberdeen, Idaho, Inman and Pawnee Rock, Kans. He and his family also served one term under the MCC in Brazil. The services were conducted by Rev. S. J. Goering, assisted by Rev. J. B. Schmidt of Pawnee Rock, Rev. Harold W. Buller and Dr. Harley Stucky. Rev. Kaufman is survived by his wife, Martha and one son, Kenneth; his aged parents, John P. and Carolina Kaufman of Moundridge; two sisters, Mrs. Japhet Stucky and Mrs. Henry Schrag of Moundridge; and four brothers, Chris H. and Paul D. of Moundridge, Ed G., North Newton, and Ray J. of rural Newton.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1953 Feb 5 p. 9

text of obituary:

JOHN ERNEST KAUFMAN

John Ernest Kaufman, son of John P. Kaufman and Carolina Schrag Kaufman, was born at Moundridge, Kansas, on September 10, 1898. Here he lived during his childhood and youth. Early in life he manifested an interest in, and a concern for, spiritual realities. At the age of 15, on May 31, 1914, he joined the Eden Mennonite congregation at Moundridge, Kansas, through baptism by his pastor Rev. C. J. Goering, who throughout the years has been a great inspiration and help to him in many important decisions of life.

As a youth, John felt constrained to serve his Lord and Saviour by helping his fellow men, and thus decided early to prepare himself for the Christian ministry. After attending high school at Moundridge, he continued his education at McPherson college, the University of Kansas, and Garrett Biblical Institute at Evanston, Illinois. The Bachelor of Arts degree he earned at Bethel College in 1921, and the Bachelor of Divinity degree at Witmarsum Theological Seminary, Bluffton, Ohio, in 1924. Being of a rather serious turn of mind, John worked hard and faithfully in school and always deeply appreciated opportunities for intellectual development and spiritual growth.

On June 5, 1921, after graduation from college, he married Martha Goering, also a member of the Eden congregation and a fellow student at Bethel College. Happily and with great satisfaction they worked together in their chosen field of service for 31 years. In 1946 they joyously celebrated their silver wedding anniversary.

In 1924, after graduating from seminary, he accepted the call to serve as pastor of the Mennonite church of Donnellson, Iowa. He served this congregation five years during which time he was also active in the Iowa State Christian Endeavor work.

In 1929 he left Donnellson to assume the pastorate of the Mennonite church of Aberdeen, Idaho. Here in addition to his church work he was chairman of the Red Cross Chapter and served on the board of directors of the Schiltz Memorial hospital at American Falls. It was also in Aberdeen where their only son, Kenneth, came into their home.

After leaving Aberdeen in 1936 he served the First Mennonite church of Inman, Kansas, for eleven years. While here he helped found the Inman Home for the Aged, and served on the Executive Committee of the Kansas Council of Churches and Christian Education.

During his years in the ministry he was privileged to serve the Mennonite General Conference and different districts in various capacities, such as: vice-president and secretary for the Pacific District, member of the Peace Committee of the Middle District, secretary of the Home Mission Committee of the Western District, and as a member of the Church Unity Committee of the General Conference.

Upon receiving a call from the Mennonite Central Committee to help the recent Mennonite immigrants in South America he and his family left for Brazil in 1947. The first year there was given as spiritual counselor to the Witmarsum colony. The remainder of his term he served as the first director of the Mennonite Center in Sao Paulo.

The years in Brazil were a heavy drain on his physical strength and because of impaired health after his return to the States, he needed a period of rest before assuming what proved to be his last pastorate in the Mennoite [sic Mennonite] church at Pawnee Rock, Kansas, in 1949.

In January of 1952 because of steadily failing health he and his family moved to North Newton where he had provided a new home. From here, he continued intermittently to serve the Pawnee Rock congregation as his health permitted. He preached his last pulpit sermon about two and one half months ago, November 2, 1952, choosing for his theme “Nevertheless God” based on II Corinthians 7:5 and 6. “For even when we were come into Macedonia our flesh had no relief, but we were afflicted on every side: without were fightings, within were fears, nevertheless He that comforteth the lowly, even God, comforted us."

This sermon was a testimony to the fact that even in difficulties and great suffering, “nevertheless God” is our victory. Some who heard the sermon now recall the personal way in which he spoke as though subconsciously aware that this would be his last public service.

Repeatedly he consulted specialists at the Mayo Clinic. On Sunday morning, January 25, he entered the Bethel Deaconess hospital where he had been a patient at various times. In spite of all that devoted hands could do, he quietly and peacefully departed this life to be with his Lord on January 26 at 3:05 a.m. reaching the age of 54 years, four months and 16 days.

He was preceded in death by a brother and a sister who died in infancy. Besides his devoted wife, Martha, and one son, Kenneth, he leaves to mourn his departure his father, 87, and his mother, 84 years of age; two sisters, (Emma) Mrs. Japhet Stucky, and (Elsie) Mrs. Henry Schrag; four brothers, Chris. H. and Paul D., all of Moundridge, Ray J. of Newton, Ed. G. of North Newton; many other relatives and a host of friends.-

Humanly speaking, his years on earth were all too few, but to his family and to those who knew him well, he leaves a challenge of hope, faith and love.

A short service was held Wednesday, January 28, at 1:00 p.m. at the home. A men's quartet from the Eden Mennonite church sang a double number and Rev. Harley Stucky, a close neighbor and friend, gave a short message of comfort and encouragement. At 1:30 p.m. the memorial service was continued at Bethel College Memorial Hall. Rev. Harold Buller led in the opening prayer which was followed by reading Psalm 90 and appropriate remarks by the aged Rev. J. B. Schmidt, a co-worker and friend from the Pawnee Rock church. Rev. Harley Stucky read the obituary and Rev. Sam J. Goering preached the sermon. The a capella choir of Bethel College sang at the service.

Rev. Sam J. Goering and Rev. Harold Buller officiated at the graveside service where members of the Pawnee Rock church sang two favorite hymns of the deceased as a last tribute of love and devotion.

Honorary pall bearers were: Rev. J. W. Nickel, Hillsboro; Rev. P. T. Neufeld, Inman; Rev. C. J. Dyck, Elbing; Rev. Roland Goering, McPherson; Rev. D. C. Wedel, North Newton; and Rev. Orlando J. Goering, Freeman, South Dakota. The following, nephews of the deceased, were the active pall bearers: Vilas Kaufman, Gerald Kaufman, Virgil Kaufman, Ed. M. Goering, Jr., Olin Goering, and Dale Goering.

Interment was made in the family lot in Greenwood Cemetery, Newton, Kansas, with the Moody Funeral Home in charge.

The family had requested that no flowers should be sent. However, memorial gifts will be accepted toward a scholarship fund for ministerial students at Bethel College.

The Mennonite obituary: 1953 Mar 24 p. 189