Vernon L. Kauffman, 85, of DeGraff, Ohio, passed away Sunday, February 14, 2010, at 8:30 A.M. at his home. He was born in West Liberty, Ohio March 11, 1924, a son of the late Ottis and Martha A. Yoder Kauffman. He also was preceded in death by a daughter, Kathy Smith; brothers, Wayne and John Kauffman and a sister, Rosella Kauffman.
He married his first wife, Ruth Ebright, March 1, 1958, and she died September 22, 1990. On October 3, 1992, he married the former Carol Jean Wright, and she survives in DeGraff. He is also survived by daughters, Ida (Harry) Sweigart of Sidney, Ohio, Brenda (Rick) Halterman of DeGraff; step-daughters, Bonita Russell and Tresa (Todd) McKinney, both of Troy, Ohio, and Cindy (Darius) Williams of Dayton, Ohio; step-sons, Bill (Cindy) Chrismas of Alabma, and Ron Chrisman of Dayton; ten grandchildren; eighteen step grandchildren; ten great grandchildren; six step great grandchildren; and three great great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
A farmer, he was a certified mechanic for International Harvester and was the owner and operator of Vern’s Tractor Repair in DeGraff. He was a member of the Stonycreek Church of the Brethren in Bellefontaine. He enjoyed repairing things, mowing and being outdoors, camping and growing vegetables and loved spending time with his grandchildren. He also worked twenty four years as a maintenance and grounds keeper at the Piatt Castles in West Liberty.
The funeral service will be held Friday, February 19, 2010, at 12 noon at the Kauffman-Eichholtz Funeral Home in West Liberty, where friends may call two hours prior to the service. Burial is in the South Union Cemetery in West Liberty.
Memorial contributions may be made to Piatt Castles 10051 Township Road 47 West Liberty, OH 43357
The staff at the Kauffman-Eichholtz Funeral Home in West Liberty assisted the family with the arrangements.