Joel Kauffmann

Joel Kauffmann, 64, of Goshen, passed away Friday morning< May 8, 2015, at South Bend Memorial Hospital. He was born August 7, 1950 in Hopedale, Illinois to Ivan J. and Lola (Good) Kauffmann. On April 15, 1972 he married Nancy Geiser at A.M.B.S. in Elkhart. She survives along with two sons, Justin Kauffmann of New York City and Julian (Elizabeth Gaynor) Kauffmann of Portland, Oregon; a granddaughter, Elke Kauffmann of Portland.; his parents, Ivan and Lola Kauffman of Goshen; and five siblings, Paul (Patti) Kauffmann of Columbus, Georgia, John Kauffmann of Las Vegas, Nevada, Mary (Jon) Kauffmann-Kennel of Elkhart, Ruth (Brian Roots) Kauffmann of Deerfield, Illinois and Jim (Deb) Kauffmann of Oak Grove, Minnesota. A Goshen resident since 1970, Joel was well known for his cartoon strip Pontius Puddle. He was currently working as content coordinator for the Museum of the Bible in Washington D.C.. He was developer of Israel's Nazareth Village and Menno-Hof in Shipshewana. Joel was also an accomplished screenwriter for numerous films including "The Radicals" and the award winning Disney movie "Miracle in Lane 2" which he co-wrote with Don Yost. A graduate of both Hesston College and Goshen College, Joel was a member of College Mennonite Church, Goshen. Friends may call Sunday, May 10, 2015 from 2 to 6 p.m. at Yoder-Culp Funeral Home. A Monday, May 11, 2015, memorial service will be conducted at College Mennonite Church starting at 10:30 a.m. Pastor Phil Waite will officiate. Cremation will take place at Yoder-Culp Crematory. Memorial contributions may be given to Center for Healing and Hope, Nazareth Village or Menno-Hof.