John M. Kauffman, 34

John M. Kauffman, 34, passed away on Sunday, May 1, 2005, in Kalispell.

He was born on Oct. 29, 1970, in 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. Moving back to the valley, John attended Flathead Valley Community College.

John worked for the Lincoln County Juvenile Detention Probation Department.

John was a member of the Libby Volunteer Ambulance, the David Thompson Search and Rescue and was a reserve deputy for Lincoln County. For nearly the last five years, John was employed as a firefighter for the Big Mountain Fire Department and was a certified emergency medical technician (EMT). He loved his work but more so loved the outdoors and spending time with his family. He was an avid hunter and fisherman.

John was preceded in death by two brothers, Terrance in 1966, and Dennis in 1972, as well as his maternal grandparents, Clifford Wolvington and Florence E. Hill in 1976.

He is survived by his wife, Janet, of Libby; daughters, Amanda and Ashley Postier of Libby, Courtney Kauffman of Molalla, Ore., and Ashley Kauffman of Idaho; his parents, Dennis and Irene Kauffman of Kalispell; sister, Theresa Dahl of Grants Pass, Ore.; and grandparents, Rollan and Jane Kauffman of Kalispell; he is also survived by several other relatives across the country.

Visitation for John will be from noon to 6 p.m. Thursday, May 5, at Johnson Mortuary. Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Friday, May 6, at the Bethlehem Lutheran Church 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.