Elma C. Kaufman

OTTOVILLE – Elma C. Kaufman, 97, of Ottoville, passed away peacefully at 6:20 a.m., Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at The Meadows of Kalida. She was born December 5, 1928, in Ottoville to the late Adolph and Regina (Wiechart) Miller. On September 1, 1948, she married the love of her life, Raymond Kaufman. He preceded her in death on February 21, 2017.

Survivors include seven children: Ronald (Kathy) Kaufman of Salem, SC, Barb (Tom) Brinkman of Ottoville, Karen (Rick) Heidenescher of St. Charles, IL, Larry (Tami) Kaufman of Carmel, IN, Dennis (Jacci) Kaufman of Ft. Wayne, IN, Tim (Linda) Kaufman of Ottoville and Very Reverend Kent Kaufman of St. Charles Parish, Lima; 16 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren and one on the way; two siblings: Robert “Cookie” (Louise) Miller of Ottoville and John (Janie) Miller of Centerville, OH; and two sisters-in-law: Ruth Miller of Ottoville and Marilyn Miller of Fairborn, OH.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was also preceded in death by three siblings: Anna (John) Yaufman, Raymond Miller and Gerald Miller.

Elma was a homemaker and member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Ottoville, Altar Rosary Society and Catholic Ladies of Columbia. She enjoyed cross-stitch, sewing, canning, and crocheting blankets for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She cared for her family immensely and loved spending time with them, especially her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Elma was a steward of the church, fulfilling many tasks such as: doing laundry for the parish and preparing the beef for the Parish Festival for many years.

The family would like to thank Putnam County Hospice, The Meadows of Kalida, Pastor Trent and Very Reverend George Mahas for their care and compassion for Elma.

Funeral Mass will begin at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, February 21, 2026, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Ottoville with her son, Very Reverend Kent Kaufman and Very Reverend George Mahas officiating. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, Ottoville. Visitation will be held from 2 to 7 p.m. on Friday and again on Saturday from 9 to 10 a.m. at LOVE-HEITMEYER FUNERAL HOME, Jackson Township. A scripture service will begin at 1:45 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home.

Memorial donations may be made to Ottoville Immaculate Conception: Educational Foundation, Putnam County Hospice or Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Ottoville.

Condolences may be expressed at www.loveheitmeyer.com