James Kauffman

James C. Kauffman, 89, of Mt. Pleasant, IA, died Monday, September 30, 2013. Visitation will be held Saturday, October 5, 2013 from 9:30 - 10:30 a.m. at the Pleasant View Mennonite Church, 1101 N. Lucas Street, where the family will receive friends. A memorial service will immediately follow at 10:30 a.m. with Mr. David Schooley officiating. A private inurnment will be at a later time at North Hill Cemetery in Wayland, IA. In lieu of flowers, memorials have been established to Pleasant View Mennonite Church and Salvation Army or the donor's choice. Born March 24, 1924 on a Wayland farm, James Christian was the son of Edward and Stella (Roth) Kauffman. He graduated from Wayland High School and joined the United States Navy in 1942 as a Pharmacist Mate in the medical corps. He took part in the invasion of Iwo Jima and Okinawa, and then he returned to Mt. Pleasant in 1946. He entered Iowa Wesleyan College and graduated with a degree in music and education in 1949. He first married Martha Millspaugh in 1950, and to this union was born 3 daughters, Peggy Ann, Lu Anne and Lori Ann. He later married Mary Jane Canby who had 2 children, Bill and Susan. Upon graduation from IWC, he directed the municipal band in the park at Wayland for two years. He then owned and operated Mr. Jim's Restaurant, and later, was the first manager of Kentucky Fried Chicken when it opened. The larger part of his working life was spent as an insurance investigator for Union Insurance Company. Survivors include his wife, Mary, of Mt. Pleasant; three daughters, Peggy (Dick) Hootman of Roscoe, IL, Lu Anne (Mike) Gruenke of LaCrosse, WI, and Lori (Tom) Hughes of Estero, FL; two step-daughters, Susan (Joe) Morales of Mechanicsville, VA and Valerie Canby of Peosta, IA; ten grandchildren; 3 great-grandchildren; his dog, Molly; and two cats, Tigger and Callie. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, Rex Edward; a step-son, Bill Canby; and his beloved sheltie, Maggie.