John Kauffman

John M. Kauffman of Libby, who died Sunday, May 1, 2005, at Kalispell, was born on Oct. 29, 1970, at Casper, Wyo., to Dennis and Irene Wolvington Kauffman.

John received his early education in the Flathead Valley, starting in Columbia Falls and continuing at Flathead Valley Christian.

He graduated from high school in Kodiak, Alaska in 1994 and returned to attend Flathead Valley Community College.

John worked for the Lincoln County Juvenile Detention Probation Department.

He was a member of the Libby Volunteer Ambulance, the David Thompson Search and Rescue and a reserve deputy for Lincoln County.

For most of the time during the past five years John was employed as a firefighter for the Big Mountain Fire Department and was a certified emergency medical technician.

He loved his work, the outdoors, and most of all spending time with his family.

John was an avid hunter and fisherman.

He was preceded in death by brothers Terrance in 1966, Dennis in 1972 and his maternal grandparents, Clifford Wolvington and Florence Hill in 1976.

Survivors include his wife Janet, Libby; daughters Amanda and Ashley Postier, also of Libby, Courtney Kauffman, Molalla, Ore., and Ashley Kauffman in Idaho; his parents Dennis and Irene Kauffman, Kalispell, sister Theresa Dahl, Grants Pass, Ore, grandparents Rollan and Jane Kauffman, Kalispell and other relatives.

Visitation was on Thursday from 12 noon to 6 p.m. at Johnson Mortuary.

Funeral services are being conducted at 11 a.m. on Friday at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church in Kalispell with Pastor Lindean Barnett officiating.

Burial will follow at the C.E. Conrad Memorial Cemetery.

Johnson Mortuary and Crematory is caring for John's family.