William "Bill" Henry Kaufmann

William “Bill” Henry Kaufmann, 90, of Goshen, died Wednesday afternoon, September 13, 2006, at Greencroft Healthcare where he had been a patient since mid-May.   He was born February 12, 1916, in Tiskilwa, Illinois, to Henry J. and Katherine (Ringenberg) Kaufmann.  On February 20, 1940, in Tiskilwa, he married Helen Anna Magnuson.  She died April 14, 1962.  He then married Ruth Birky in Elkhart on May 8, 1965.  She survives.   A Goshen resident since 1994, Mr. Kaufmann, was a farmer in Tiskilwa and very interested in soil conservation and alternative energy sources.  He helped start the Menno Haven Camp and Retreat Center in Tiskilwa.  After moving to this area he worked for the Elkhart Community Schools in maintenance from 1965 to 1971.   He was a member of the College Mennonite Church and the Homebuilders Sunday School class.  He was an associate member at Willow Spring Mennonite Church.  He enjoyed people sports and was an avid ping pong player.  He supported Mennonite Relief Sales and served with Mennonite Disaster Service.  He took up golfing after the age of 70 and painting after 80.   He is survived by his wife, Ruth; four daughters, Beth (Bert) Schlabach of Rochester, New York, Alice (Steve) Slabaugh and Karen (Dave) Kieper, both of Goshen, and Elaine (Tim) Martin of Greensboro, North Carolina; two sons, William (Bonita Martin) Kaufmann, Jr. of Loris South Carolina and Eric (Cynthia Good) Kaufmann of Raleigh, North Carolina; 13 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren.   He was preceded in death by a sister, Alma Kaufmann and a brother, John Kaufmann.   Friends will be received 5 to 8 p.m., Friday, September 15, at the Koinonia Room at the College Mennonite Church, Goshen.  Friends will also be received one hour prior to the Sunday service in Tiskilwa, Illinois.   A 10:00 a.m., Saturday, September 16, 2006, funeral service will be held at the College Mennonite Church.  Pastor Firman Gingerich and Rev. Clare Schumm will officiate.  A 2:00 p.m., Sunday, September 17, 2006, funeral service will be held at the Willow Springs Mennonite Church in Tiskilwa, Illinois.  Pastor Carl Zehr and Alton Horst will officiate.   Memorial contributions may be made to the College Mennonite Church, the Willow Springs Mennonite Church of Menno Haven Camp and Retreat Center.