Sherman William Kauffman

Sherman Kauffman, 82, died at his home on Saturday, December 6, surrounded by his wife and children, after a long battle with pulmonary fibrosis.

Sherm was born June 5, 1943, in Fairview, MI to Ira and Glada Kauffman, one of six children. After graduating from Fairview High School, he left for Voluntary Service through the Mennonite Church in Anzac, Alberta Canada. There he worked for the Northland School Division that served children in some of the northernmost parts of Alberta, as well as community development. It was here that he met his lifetime partner, Betty Yoder, from Kokomo, IN, also serving in VS. They married and remained in Alberta for 5 years. Their daughter Shana was born there.

After a move to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, their son Jeff was born. Following this, Sherm was called to his first pastorate in Three Rivers, MI.

It was after this call, that Sherm attended Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminaries and Goshen College, receiving a bachelor degree at the college and certification from the seminary.

For the remainder of his life, Sherm served the church in a variety of ways in several locations, including: in Sarasota, FL as associate pastor at Bayshore Mennonite Church, and in Goshen, IN as executive secretary and executive conference minister for IN-MI Mennonite Conference. During this time he completed an MS in nonprofit administration at Notre Dame. He also served on the boards of Sarasota Christian School and Goshen College. After retirement he served as a transitional minister in Ohio, Indiana, and Nebraska. He also volunteered with Mennonite Disaster Service in Florida.

Sherm is survived by his wife Betty, his daughter Shana Hodel (spouse: Marty); his son Jeff; and 6 grandchildren, Anika, Emily (spouse Matt Rollmann), Christoph, Kate, Julia, and Anya; siblings Polly Kauffman, Sandy Kauffman, Kathy Hochstedler (spouse Wayne), and Bert Jacklitch. He was preceded in death by brother Merrill (spouse Shirley), sister-in-law Linda Kauffman, and brother-in-law Jim Jacklitch. He was also surrounded by a loving extended family, church community, and dear friends. He maintained a strong bond with Jerry Boucher, a student from northern Alberta who is considered family through lifelong connection.

Sherm had a lifelong love of the north country and winter, golf, learning, artistic expression, and music. In retirement, he studied and mastered the art of wood-turning, creating wood bowls and vases, which he shared and sold. He also used his considerable handyman and carpentry skills to help family and friends with renovation and building projects. He loved the church, spending time with his family and grandchildren, getting to know new people and places, and 47 different kinds of pie. He was a man of strong faith with a deep sense of justice and the importance of caring for God’s creation.

A visitation has been scheduled for Friday, Dec. 26 from 2:00-4:00 pm and 5:00-7:00 pm at Berkey Avenue Mennonite Fellowship. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 am Saturday, Dec. 27 at Berkey Avenue Mennonite Fellowship.

Memorial contributions may be made to Goshen College or Mennonite Central Committee.