- Date Of Birth: February 6, 1933
- Date Of Death: March 21, 2016
- State: Indiana
Phyllis J. Kauffman, 83, of Elkhart, went to join her eternal Father on Monday, March 21, at the Hearth at Juday Creek in Granger.
Phyllis was born Feb. 6, 1933, in Middletown, Ohio, to the late Glenn and Dolores (Pendleton) Mears.
On Sept. 8, 1951, she married her high school sweetheart, David R. Kauffman, at Jimtown United Methodist Church in Elkhart.
Mr. Kauffman preceded her in death Sept. 24, 1998.
Surviving are a son, Mike (Becky) Kauffman of Elkhart; a daughter, Barb Kauffman of Orlando, Fla.; three grandsons, Jeremy (Karen) Kauffman of Westfield, and Joe and Matt Kauffman, both of Elkhart; two great-granddaughters, Kaylee and Ashlee Kauffman, at home; and a brother, Doug (Michaleen) Mears of Orlando.
Phyllis graduated from Jimtown High School in 1951, creating lifelong friends as well as meeting the love of her life, Dave. They were married for 47 years prior to his death.
Phyllis was employed by Miles Laboratories/Bayer Corp. and retired in 1995 after 29 years, most recently working in the consumer regulatory affairs department. She was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Elkhart and the Elkhart General Hospital Auxiliary. While traveling in Orlando, she also volunteered with the Dr. Phillips Hospital Auxiliary. She volunteered at Dave’s Place, which was named after her husband and was created to assist those in need in Elkhart and surrounding areas.
A strong passion for Phyllis was mentoring with the CARES program for young children needing one-on-one tutoring. She took tremendous pride in helping young people realize their full potential. She was a member of the Miles Quarter Century Club, the YWCA and Red Hat Society, and a past member of the Four Arts Club.
Phyllis was a staunch Notre Dame fan and enjoyed playing bridge with her bridge club, travel, beautiful music, gardening and lunching with her friends. She traveled numerous times a year to visit her family in Orlando, enjoying all the area had to offer. Her greatest joy was her family and she left this earthly world carrying that joy with her.
