Obit: Kauffman, Donald L. (1922 – 2015)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Kauffman, Shupe, Steiger, Riedy

----Source: Tribune/Record/Gleaner (Abbotsford, Wis.) 15 Jul 2015

Kauffman, Donald L. (24 MAY 1922 – 26 MAY 2015)

Donald L. Kauffman, 93, passed away on Tuesday, May 26, 2015, at Grace Edgewood Assisted Living Facility in Altoona, where he had been residing for the past 10 years. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., on Saturday, July 18, at the Loyal United Methodist Church. Rev. Patsy Roe will officiate. Burial of cremains will follow in the Loyal Cemetery. Military rites will be conducted by the Loyal American Legion Post #175. Visitation will be held at the church, on Saturday, from 10 a.m., until time of service.

Donald Lawrence Kauffman was originally from Loyal, born on May 24, 1922, the son of Vernard and Elva (nee Shupe) Kauffman. When asked about his career, he always stated he was a “Military Man.” After graduation from Loyal High School in 1940, he entered into military service with the U.S. Army and was assigned to the 9th Armored Division, Combat Command B. He entered the European Theater of Operations shortly after D-Day in 1944, and was closely involved in combat operations that included the Battle of the Bulge, and as a member of the first unit to cross the Rhine River into Germany. For these actions he received the Presidential Unit Citation. He remained in the U.S. Army of Occupation and was discharged from the service in 1946. He attended Whitewater State Teachers College (UW-Whitewater) for a few years and then re-turned to serve in the U.S. Navy in 1952. Don performed his initial Navy service in the Pacific, serving on Johnston Island; Guam; Kwajalein; Atsugi, Japan; and Yokosuka, Japan. He then served aboard the USS Henderson, USS Perkins, USS Braine, USS Mullany, USS William Sieverling, USS Hanson and NCU-38. After attending further Cryptologic Technician Schools at NSA Washington, D.C., he went on to serve the Naval Security Group Activities at Karamursel, Turkey; Bremerhaven, Germany; Zweibrucken, Germany; Edzell, Scotland; Key West, Fla.; Midway Island; Kami Seya, Japan; Sasebo, Japan; and Northwest, Va. In 1970, after more than 20 years of military service, he retired from the U.S. Navy as a CTRC (Cryptologic Technician Radio Chief). Military citations and awards included: Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon, Navy Good Conduct Medal (4), Army Good Conduct Medal, China Service Medal, WWII American Campaign Medal, WWII European Theater Campaign Medal with three Battle Stars, WWII Victory Medal, Army Occupation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Korean War Service Medal, and United Nations Service Medal.

After retirement from the military, Don moved to Madison, where he worked for the U.S. Post Office for several years before moving to Zephyrhills, Fla. His retirement allowed him to travel to many locations; most were near golf courses where he enjoyed his leisure time. He is credited with at least four hole-in-one games. He later lived at the Wisconsin Veterans Home at King, and the U.S. Naval Home in Gulfport, Miss., before moving to Altoona in 2005. Don was a life-long member of the Loyal United Methodist Church, and a life member of the American Legion Post 175 of Loyal, and the Masonic Lodge F&AM #317 of Owen.

He is survived by his sister, Dorothy Steiger, Neillsville; two nephews, Keith (Betty) Steiger, Howards Grove, and Dave Steiger, Neillsville; one niece, Debra (Jim) Riedy, Aurora, Ohio; and three great-nephews and two great-nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Dale Kauffman; and his brother-in-law, Ervin Steiger.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Grace Edgewood Assisted Living Facility and the Grace Lutheran Foundation for the loving care and professional services extended to Don and his family.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com. Cuddie Funeral Home, Loyal, is assisting the family with arrangements.