Wanda M. Kaufman
1930-2024

Wanda M. Kaufman, 94, of Sidney and formerly of Jackson Center, died at 8:30pm on Sunday, November 17, 2024, in Wilson Memorial Hospital, Sidney.

She was born in Shelby County, Ohio on November 15, 1930, the daughter of the late Ray W. and Nora Adeline (Howell) Sherer.

On November 27, 1948, she married Robert L. Kaufman in the Jackson Center Methodist Church, and he preceded her in death on June 28, 2015.

She is survived by three daughters, Susan Kaufman, and Jane Kaufman, both of Sidney and Jill Kaufman Payne, and her husband, Jeff of Naples, Florida, six grandchildren, Jennifer Kaufman of Piqua, Ben Kaufman of Columbus, and Stacy Kaufman Montgomery of Bowling Green, KY, Jeremy Payne of Marysville, Brian Payne of Ottawa, Kansas, and Stephanie Fisher of Wapakoneta, several great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and a friend, Pat Liebel and “Mr. Kitty.”

In addition to her parents and husband, she was also preceded in death by a son, William "Bill" Kaufman in 1998, and two sisters, Lila Jean Stahler and Phyllis Whiles.

She was a 1948 graduate of Jackson Center High School, receiving the Activity Award at graduation. She was a homemaker, renowned for her famous buttermilk cookies, homemade caramels, and peanut brittle. A member of the Jackson Center United Methodist Church, she was active in United Methodist Women, holding various offices in the women's group. She served the church as Council chair, Outreach chair, Congregational Care chair, delegate to the West Ohio Conference at Lakeside, sang in the choir, and planned and prepared many dinners at the church.

Active in the community, she supported the J.C. Thanksgiving Dinner and the J. C. We Care Fund. A former high school cheerleader, she and her husband Bob were named "Tiger Fans of the Year." She was a Charter member and past president of the Junior American Club. She was instrumental in forming the Park and Pool Committee, and the Fish Pond Food Pantry, where she volunteered for six years. She was co-founder and hosted the Jackson Center Holiday House for twenty years. She was a member of the Maplewood Grange, serving on the Women's Activity committee and as chaplain.

For twenty-five years, she worked in banking in Jackson Center and Sidney. She retired from Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home, Jackson Center after eighteen years.

Rev. Randal Bratka will officiate a funeral service at 11:00 am on Friday, November 22, 2024, in the Jackson Center Family Life Center, 310 Davis St., Jackson Center, Ohio 45334. Visitation will be on Thursday, from 4 to 7 pm at the Jackson Center Family Life Center and again on Friday, one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow in Glen Cemetery, Port Jefferson.

Memorial contributions may be made to Jackson Center Methodist Church, 202 E Pike St, Jackson Center, OH 45334, or to the Jackson Center Family Life Center, 310 Davis St., Jackson Center, Ohio 45334.

EICHHOLTZ DARING & SANFORD FUNERAL HOME, JACKSON CENTER, is honored to serve the Kaufman family and encourages anyone to share a fond memory or message of condolence at www.edsfh.com