Eleanor May Kauffman

Eleanor May Kauffman, 89, of Punxsutawney, passed away on Thursday, May 29, 2025, at Penn Highlands Jefferson Manor.

She was born in Punxsutawney on March 15, 1936, and she was the daughter of the late Luther Lloyd Smith and Eleanor Leona (Haddick) Smith.

On December 13, 1954, she married her sweetheart, Elmer Eugene Kauffman.  They enjoyed fifty-six wonderful years together prior to his death on March 26, 2012.

Eleanor was a homemaker, raised her children and managed to work outside the home.  She previously worked at Rola, decorated cakes at Riverside, she also baked beautiful cakes for many people from her own kitchen for weddings, birthdays and anniversaries, she finally retired from Speer Carbon.

Camping was a family adventure that they all enjoyed, many weekends were spent at Prince Gallitzin and Deer Meadows campground.

She previously enjoyed square dancing with her husband Gene, and she also enjoyed crafts, puzzles and playing cards. 

Surviving relatives include her five children, Kathleen M. (Dennis) Mitchell of Punxsutawney, Vickie L. Work of Indiana, Edward E. (Karen) Kauffman of Hamilton, Brenda L. Burkett of Coolspring and Jeffrey (Michele) Kauffman of Punxsutawney; twelve grandchildren, Tina, Kim, Jessica, Stacy, Shawna, Erik, Paige, Landon, Richard, Billy, Chad and Megan; fifteen great grandchildren; two great-great grandchild; one brother, Donald Smith of Cleveland, Ohio; two sisters, Louise (Gene) Phillippi of Rochester Mills and Margaret Painter of Punxsutawney;  brother in-law Gene Heitzenrater of Warren, Ohio

Preceded in death by her parents and dear husband Gene, two sisters, Donna Johnson and Dorothy Heitzenrater; one grandson, Nicholas Kauffman and one granddaughter, Shannon Work; son in-law, Edwin Burkett; and a brother in-law, Carl Painter.

Friends will be received from 3-7 p.m. Monday, June 2, 2025, at Shumaker Funeral Home, Inc., Punxsutawney.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday at the funeral home officiated by Pastor Doug Wolfe.

Memorial donations may be made in Eleanor’s memory to Oaklawn Cemetery, S&T Bank c/o Hailey Liscinsky.

Interment will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery, Cloe.

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