James Arthur Kauffman, 80, 'was called home to God' on Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2007, at the Libby Care Center in Libby.

He was born Nov. 22, 1926, in Creston, the son of Norman Leroy and Anna Grace (Snyder) Kauffman.

James attended Cayuse Prairie School and Flathead County High School. He enjoyed Bible reading, singing and a job well done. He was united in marriage to Lenora Eash on April 5, 1951, and she was called home Jan. 4, 1961. He later married Naomi Mast on Sept. 1, 1961. Naomi divorced him in 2005.

James was a lifelong resident of Flathead County. As a teenager he worked in the family sawmill, and then served in the CPS during World War II. He was a lifetime logger and pastor. He was a member of the Mennonite Church and was a pastor of the Manicke Community Church for 20 years.

James was preceded in death by his wife, Lenora; parents, Roy and Anna; brothers, Sanford, Rueben and Aldine; sisters, Mabel Miller, Ruth Stutzman and Mary Slatter; a son, Thomas Samuel; a grandson, Norman Kauffman; and a granddaughter, Annie Wagoner.

He is survived by sons, Elton and Gayla of Columbia Falls, Jay and Angie of Richland Center, Wis., Willard and Dawn of Kalona, Iowa, Ted and Natalie of Kalispell, Jeremiah and April, also of Kalispell, Jerry and Katie Dachs of Mayfield, Ky., and Vernon and Anna Dachs of Kalispell; daughters, Anita and Bill Stinde of Canby, Ore., Nettie and Steve Wagoner of Columbia Falls, and Renee' and Jon Sanford of Woodville, Texas; brothers, Paul, Norman and Joe, all of Kalispell, and Dr. David Kauffman of Whitefish; sisters, Lillie and Gordon Weber, and Rosella and Claire Eby, both of Guernsey, Saskatchewan, Bernice Reimer of Newton, Kansas, and Gladys Reimer of Whitewater, Kansas; 22 grandsons and 26 granddaughters; one great-granddaughter.

Funeral services for James will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 13, at the Mountain View Mennonite Church, with Gary Wayne officiating. Burial will be afterward at the Creston Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday in the Johnson Mortuary chapel.

The family suggests memorial gifts be given to the Wycliff Bible Translators: 202 S. Prospect St., Orange, CA 92859.

Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for James' family. You are invited to go to www.johnsonmortuary.com to offer condolences and sign James' guest book.