ELMER J. KAUFMANN

Mr. Elmer John Kaufmann, 87, the Illinois Veterans Home, formerly of Payson, died at 11:55 a.m. Saturday (April 30, 2005) in Blessing Hospital.

Born March 10, 1918 in Adams County, Illinois, Mr. Kaufmann was the son of John and Stella Marshall Kaufmann. He married Mary L. Schlagenhauf on December 27, 1941 in San Francisco, California. She preceded him in death on October 17, 2002.

Mr. Kaufmann was a member of the Payson Congregational United Church of Christ; Payson V. F. W. Post 2061, a 50 year member of the Payson Masonic Lodge No. 379, Pike County Chapter 20 Order of Eastern Star, Quincy Consistory and the Adams County Farm Bureau. He enjoyed bowling, golfing, playing cards and listening and dancing to Big Band Sounds. He loved all sports and especially loved watching his grandchildren participate in their activities.

Mr. Kaufmann served his country in the U. S. Army during WWII. He farmed all of his life in Adams County until his retirement.

Survivors include a daughter, Barbara Burkhardt and her husband Charles of Palmyra, MO.; two sons, James "Jim" Kaufmann and his wife Lori of Payson and Robert "Butch" Kaufmann and his wife Beth of Pleasant Plains, IL.; ten grandchildren; Lee Jay Jordan and his wife Ann, Yvonne Goellner and her husband Paul, Todd Burkhardt, Alison Burkhardt, David Burkhardt and his wife Racheal, Phil Kaufmann and his wife Erin, Jeff Kaufmann and his wife Jamie, Julie Shultz and her husband Kyle, Chris Kaufmann and Jill Kaufmann; 16 great grandchildren; a brother, Lester Kaufman and his wife Marilyn of Quincy; a sister, Norma Brinkman of Quincy; and several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Kaufmann was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; two grandchildren, Kimberly Kaufmann and Timothy Kaufmann; two brothers, Marion Kaufmann and Melvin Kaufman; and a sister, Dorothy Klocke.

Funeral services will be held Tuesday morning at 10:30 in the Zehender Robinson Stormer Cookson Funeral Home in Payson by the Rev. Rick Welch. Burial with military honors by the Payson V. F. W. Post 2061 will be in Payson New Cemetery.

Visitation will be Tuesday morning from 9:00 until the time of services at the funeral home in Payson. Payson Masonic Lodge No. 379 will conduct services immediately before the funeral service.

Memorials may be made to the Payson Congregational United Church of Christ or the Make A Wish Foundation.