Thomas "Tom" H. Kaufman Obituary (1935

Thomas H. Kaufman, 87, of Bloomington, passed away on Friday, September 16, 2022 at the McLean County Nursing Home, Normal. Tom's service will be held on Friday, September 23, 2022 at 12pm at West Twin Grove Christian Church. Following the service, burial will be at the Rosewood Cemetery with military honors conducted by the Bloomington/Normal American Legion Honor Guard. Visitation will be held on Thursday, September 22, 2022 from 5-7pm at the church. The family suggests memorials be made to Ducks Unlimited Inc., One Waterfowl Way, Memphis, TN 38120. Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home is in charge of arrangements. Tom was born on May 14, 1935 in Bloomington, the son of Harris and Anna Rettke Kaufman. He married Barbara Sue Kepner on August 29, 1975 in Bloomington. She preceded him in death on December 25, 2019. Tom is survived by his children; Kimberly Kaufman, Goodfield, IL; Mark (Gail) Kaufman, Bloomington; Tony (Lori) Kaufman, Bloomington and a step-daughter, Kimberly (John) McGuire, Paxton, IL. He is also survived by 6 grandchildren, 5 step-grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren. Tom was preceded in death by his parents, 2 brothers, 2 sisters and 1 grandchild. Tom served in the Army during the Korean War, and worked as a supervisor for General Electric, retiring after 40 years. He was also a member of West Twin Grove Christian Church. Tom was the consummate year-round Sportsman. In spring/summer/early fall, he tournament bass fished. In late fall, he hunted pheasants/dove/duck/goose and his favorite...deer. In winter, he trapped fur-bearers while also doing taxidermy (a trade he taught himself and even won awards for when he took his mounts to shows). Tom was a member of many sporting organizations - The Mackinaw Valley Bassmasters; Mackinaw Valley Bowhunters; Bass Casters of America; Bass Angler Sportsman's Society Federation, now called BassMasters; Bloomington/Normal Bass Club; and was a past president of the IL Trappers Association, and a founding member of the Central IL Gun Club. Tom was an accomplished bass fisherman who won over 150 bass fishing tournaments. He was a multiple BASS IL State Tournament qualifier and a BASS national champion. He also mentored countless youth and upcoming bass fisherman. With all Tom's accomplishments, his family would say he had "a life well lived." He loved his family above all, and he will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.