Willis F. Kauffman

Willis F. Kauffman, 75 of Arthur, IL passed away at 9:50 AM on Thursday, March 23, 2023 at Carle Hospital in Urbana, IL with his two children by his side. 

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at the Arthur Mennonite Church, 710 E. Park St., Arthur, IL.  Pastor Glen Rhodes will officiate.  Burial will be in the Arthur Cemetery.  Visitation will be held from 1:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. and 5:00 P.M. to 7:00 P.M. on Tuesday, March 28, 2023 at the church.  The Edwards Funeral Home is assisting with arrangements.

Willis was born on March 25, 1947 in Arthur, IL, a son of Fred and Clara (Herschberger) Kauffman.  He married Mary Garber on March 16, 1970 in Asheville, NC. Mary passed away on December 2, 2020.

Willis is survived by his two children, Kathy Kearns and her husband David, and Kevin Kauffman and his wife Pege, all of Arthur, IL, two grandsons, Tyler Kearns and his wife Sarah of Arthur, IL and Scott Kauffman of Effingham, IL; two step grandsons, Kolby and Nick Hubster both of Arthur, IL; one great grandson, River Kearns; five siblings, Katie Ann Hostetler and her husband Albert of Arthur, IL, Ervin Kauffman of Arthur, IL, Al Kauffman and wife Pat of Leesburg, FL, Bessie Hostetler and her husband Robert of Middlefield, OH, Sarah Otto of Kokomo, IN; a brother-in-law, Joe Hostetler of Middlefield, OH, and a sister-in-law, Martha Mullet and her husband Johnny of Sugarcreek, OH. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, Fred and Clara Kauffman, his wife Mary Kauffman, and one sister, Dora Hostetler. 

Willis was a member of the Arthur Mennonite church. 

Willis grew up and went to school in Arthur, IL.  He moved to Ohio and worked as an orderly in a hospital.  He later worked for Foremost Trucking in Sugarcreek, OH; Willis hauled whey, a byproduct of the manufacturing of cheese.  After moving back to Arthur, IL Willis worked for Bursa Trenching, he later drove a truck for Mike Green and then finally drove a milk truck for Larry Kauffman and Prairie Farms. 

Willis enjoyed garden tractor pulling; he had a garden tractor that he used to pull for over 10 years. He also enjoyed going to Rice Lake in Canada to fish. 

His favorite thing to do was spend time with his family. The holidays especially, Mary and Willis always made Christmas candy; peanut butter cups, dipped pretzels, caramels, and Mary’s famous turtles, just to name a few. Their holiday confections were made with love and affection, making the holidays sweeter for many.