Raymond L. Kauffman

Raymond L. Kauffman, 88, North Manchester, Indiana died at 1:41 p.m. Tuesday, October 30, at Peabody Retirement Community after a debilitating battle with Alzheimer's Disease. Born in Abilene, Kansas, July 28, 1924, to Clyde L. Kauffman and Wilna (Cutler) Kauffman, he grew up in Kansas City, Missouri and graduated from Central High School in 1942. Upon graduation he entered the U.S. Army and served as Tec 5 Corporal in the 481st Light Pontoon Company. He served in the European Theatre of Operations and was awarded three battle stars including one for the Battle of the Bulge. Favorably discharged from the Army in 1946, he enrolled in the University of Missouri where he played football, was initiated into the Kappa Sigma fraternity, and earned a Bachelor of Science Business Administration in 1949. He began a career in insurance in 1949 as the Marion, Indiana, branch office manager of the Chicago Motor Club. He joined the Wetzel Insurance Agency in 1957 becoming Wetzel's President in 1968. He earned his Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter designation in 1964 and served as the President of the Indiana Mutual Agents Association, later known as the Indiana Professional Insurance Agents (PIA), in 1968. He retired from Wetzel in 1992. Raymond served his community as President of the North Manchester Chamber of Commerce, President of the Lions Club, President of the Manchester Community Schools Parent Teacher Association, Trustee of the United Methodist Church; and Board Member of the Indiana Lawrence Bank. He taught Sunday school, coached safety awareness to driver's training students, and lectured in general insurance at Manchester College. He was a member of the Deming Masonic Lodge, Sycamore Golf Club, and Tippecanoe Lake Country Club. Raymond leaves his devoted spouse of 61 years Ramona (Harshman) and a legacy of four children: Raymond (deceased) and widow Kate, Naperville, IL; Laura Kauffman, Fort Wayne, IN; Ellen and spouse George Perry III, Zionsville, IN; Byron and spouse Jane, Leesburg, IN; nine grandchildren, Nicole Fultz, George Perry IV, Laura Beth Perry, Mathew Perry, Kayla Kauffman, Derek Kauffman, Tripp Kauffman, Gramm Kauffman, and Brynn Kauffman; and, a great grandson Colton Fultz. Calling is scheduled at McKee Mortuary, 1401 State Road 114 W, North Manchester, IN from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. Friday, November 9, 2012. Masonic Service will be held at 7:00 p.m. Friday, November 9, 2012 at McKee Mortuary, North Manchester, IN. Funeral service will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, November 10, 2012 at the United Methodist Church, 306 E. Second St., North Manchester, IN with burial immediately thereafter at Oaklawn Cemetery, North Manchester, IN. Preferred memorial is North Manchester United Methodist Church, 306 East Second Street; North Manchester, IN 46962. To send a private condolence to the Kauffman family, use the Condolence link on the Homepage.