Reverend Phillip S. Kaufmann, 63, of Bloomington, passed away Friday morning, July 2, 2010 at OSF St. Joseph Medical Center, Bloomington, after having back surgery on Thursday. Visitation was on Tuesday, July 6 at Christ Lutheran Church in Normal, and the funeral was on Wednesday, July 7 at the Church. Burial was in Bethania Cemetery in Justice, IL. Memorials may be made to Christ Lutheran Church in Normal were Pastor Kaufmann shepherded and served for the past 19 years. Kibler-Smith Memorial Home handled the arrangements.
Pastor Kaufmann was educated in Lutheran schools from elementary school through graduate school, earning a Master of Divinity degree from Concordia Theological Seminary in Springfield. He was ordained at St. Andrew Lutheran Church in Chicago as a pastor of the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod in 1972. His first call was to serve as pastor of the dual parish, St. John's Lutheran, Dieterich, and St. Paul Lutheran, Wheeler, IL. In 1976, he accepted a call to serve as senior pastor at Immanuel Lutheran Church and School in Springfield, IL during which time he was instrumental in starting Lutheran High School in Springfield. He came to Christ Lutheran Church in Normal in 1991 and was instrumental in relocating the church from Fell Avenue to its current location on Hershey Road, where he served until his death. His service to the Lutheran Church, Missouri Synod also included serving as a national church reconciler, serving on the board of Regents for Concordia University, Chicago, and as circuit counselor for the Central Illinois District.
Pastor Kaufmann was the guest preacher at St. John's Lutheran, Dieterich, on May 23, 2010 as part of their 150th Anniversary Celebrations this year in honoring former pastors. He was accompanied by his wife and several members enjoyed a social hour following the service visiting with them. Attending the funeral from this area were Floyd and Joan Bohnhoff, Dorothy Stirrett, Margie Zimdars of Dieterich and Howard and Evelyn Miller of Montrose.
He was born on December 9, 1946 in Chicago to Willard and Minnie (Becker) Kaufmann and married Waneve "Evie" Garbalagtys, on June 28, 1969 and she survives along with his father, Willard Kaufmann of Bloomington, two sons, Timothy and wife Joy of Hoffman Estates, IL, and Reverend Martin and his wife, Amy of Houston, Texas, five grandchildren, Jonah, Hannah, Andrew, Katie, and Laura Kaufmann, and a cousin, Linda Highland and husband, Jim of Orland Park, IL.
He was a loving son, husband, father, and grandfather and beloved pastor to his parishioners. He was dearly loved by his family, many friends, and congregational members and will be greatly missed. Kent and Joan Bohnhoff and their family are members of Christ Lutheran Church in Bloomington. Kent is the son of Floyd and Joan Bohnhoff of Dieterich.
Bloomington, Ill. —
