Kauffman.--Levi Christian, oldest son of John J. and Marthz Zook Kauffman, was born in Logan Co., Ohio, Sept. 2, 1873; died at Hesston, Kans., April 28, 1945; aged 71 y. 7m. 26 d. For some time he had been afflicted with leakage of the heart. He suffered a severe heat attack about thirty-six hours before his death. The end came suddenly from heart failure. In his boyhood he moved with his parents to Cass Co., Mo., where in his youth he accepted Christ as his Saviour and united with the Sycamore Grove Mennonite Church. He remained a faithful and active member of the Mennonite Church until death. On Jan. 7, 1896, he was united in marriage to Rebecca Ellen Sharp. He had been looking forward to next January when he would have celebrated his fiftieth wedding anniversary. To this union were born six sons and four daughters. Two infant daughters, an infant son, and a married daughter (Sadie Pearl Harshbarger, Dagmar, Mont.) preceded him in death. In the fall of 1899 with his companion and two small children he moved to North Dakota. They were pioneers of the western prairies and experienced many hardships, yet he referred to those years as some of the most enjoyable of his life. Here their children grew up and united with the Mennonite Church. Four of the sons have been called to the ministry of the Gospel. He play an important part in the work of the Spring Valley Church at Kenmare, and in the Dakota-Montana Conference district. He was always ready to do what he could. His advice and counsel were widely sought. In 1926 he was called by the church to the office of deacon. He also served as chairman of the District Mission Board. He was a prosperous farmer until the years of drought. During the thirties they experienced one crop failure after another. Other Mennonite families became discouraged and moved away. The family was scattered. Not wanting to remain where there was no church, they also left. This was one of the greatest trials of his life. Here he had labored for forty years. The local church with a membership at one time of over sixty was gone. He left behind practically all the material accomplishments of his life. He bore it without complaint, knowing that his Lord knew what was best. In 1940 they came to Hesston, Kans., where they since resided. He leaves to mourn his departure, his wife, 5 sons, one daughter, and one foster daughter (Milo, Hesston, Kans., John, Albany, Oreg., Archie, Foster, Oreg., Lina--Mrs. Menno Snyder, Hammett, Idaho; George, Albany, Oreg.; Edward, Cheraw, Colo.; and Eva Mae--Mrs. Raymond Jaques, Alpha, Minn.), 32 grandchildren, 2 sisters and 2 brothers (Lydia--Mrs. A. C. Ogburn, Aspers, Pa., Fannie--Mrs. L. M. Morningstar, Alpha and Willie, Goshen, Ind.), and many other relatives and friends. Funeral services were in charge of J. G. Hartzler, I. R. Lind, F. S. Brenneman, and M. A. Yoder.

Father: John J Kauffman
b: 08 MAY 1850 in Lancaster Co, PA
Mother: Martha A. Zook
b: 23 MAY 1850 in Lawrence Co, PA

Marriage 1 Rebecca Ellen Sharp
b: 27 APR 1873 in Belleville, Union Twp, Mifflin Co, PA

Children

1. Pearl (Sadie) Kauffman
b: 06 DEC 1896 in Garden City, Cass Co, MO
2. Milo Franklin Kauffman
b: 13 FEB 1898
3. John Gideon Kauffman
b: 26 APR 1900
4. Archie R. Kauffman
b: 12 DEC 1902 in ND
5. Salina R. Kauffman
b: 11 APR 1905
6. Mattie Salina Kauffman
b: 11 APR 1905
7. George M. Kauffman
b: 27 MAR 1907 in ND
8. Lydia M. Kauffman
b: 23 MAR 1908
9. Edward L. Kauffman
b: 06 APR 1910 in Kenmare, ND
10. Ida Belle Kauffman
b: 27 FEB 1913 in Baden Twp, Ward Co, ND
11. Emanuel (Manuel L) Kauffman
b: 12 MAY 1916 in Baden Twp, Ward Co, ND
12. HEva Mae Kauffman
b: 01 FEB 1917