Col James Mengel Kauffman, (88) of Tilden Twp., went home to his Lord and Savior on Tuesday October 4, 2016.
He was the son of the late James L. and Amelia Catharine (Mengel) Kauffman of Mohrsville, PA. He was predeceased by his wife Jean Anna (Sensenig) Kauffman, who passed away in 1990.
Jim was a 1946 high school graduate of Ontelaunee Vocational School and received his BS from Drexel University. He served this country in The US Army on active duty in Korea, Japan, Germany and several stateside posts, followed by service in the US Army Reserves at Ft. Monmouth, NJ. He also held a civil service position with the US Naval Supply Depot in Philadelphia.
Jim is survived by 3 children: David S. Kauffman, husband of Harriet of Ft. Washington, PA, Susan Kauffman Harmon, wife of James T., of Dade City, FL, and Debra Kauffman Haines of Hamburg, PA.
He is survived by 6 grandchildren: Valerie Hammen, Adam Harmon, both of Dade City, Daniel Ruf of Hamburg, Rachael Martin of Lancaster, Wendy Beaudreau of Princeton NJ, and Melanie Kauffman of Ft. Washington. He was predeceased by grandson: Dane Kauffman Harmon of Dade City. He was blessed with 7 great-grandchildren: Caitlin, Cadence, Dane, Tyler, James, Lainey, and Heather.
Jim is survived by 2 siblings: Catherine M. Holcombe of Mohrsville, and David L. Kauffman of Fallston, MD.
Jim was a very active member of Mohrsville Church of the Brethren where he taught adult Sunday
School and formerly was a longtime member of Philadelphia First Church of the Brethren, Wyndmoor, PA.
His hard work and service in the military and government afforded him a long and enjoyable retirement gardening, raising trees, caning, working at the Kutztown Folk Festival, and especially enjoying family. Nothing spelled joy like going to grandad's house! He served as an auditor for Tilden Township and was a member of PA German Cultural Heritage Center, Kutztown.
A special thank you to his caregiver Amanda Heckman. What would we ever have done without you, and to Berks Visiting Nurses.
Services will be held on Saturday at 11:30 am from Mohrsville Church of the Brethren, 1542 Shoey Road, Mohrsville, PA 19541. Burial will be in Good Shepherd Cemetery, Tuckerton. A viewing will be held in the church Saturday 10:00 am to 11:30 am. Memorial contributions may be sent to the church at the above address or Jim would appreciate any contributions to a veterans charity. Leibensperger Funeral Homes, Inc., Hamburg is in charge of arrangements. For online condolences, please visit, www.leibenspergerfuneralhomes.com.

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