Joe Kaufman, age 64, of Ainsworth, Iowa, died Saturday, October 22, 2011at his residence following a sudden illness.

Celebration of life services will be held 2:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 26, 2011 at the Ainsworth Community Church in Ainsworth, Iowa with Rev. Kitch Shatzer officiating. Visitation will begin 5:00 p.m. Tuesday at the Ainsworth Community Church where the family will receive friends from 5:00 until 8:00 p.m. Private family interment will take place at a later date. Memorials have been established for the Ainsworth Ball Association or Marr Park Trail Fund. The Jones Eden Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be sent for Joe's family through the web at www.jonesfh.com

Joe was born October 27, 1946 in Washington County, Iowa the son of Clarence B and Grace Louise (Pearson) Kaufman. He attended school in Ainsworth, Iowa graduating from Highland High School in 1964. Joe was united in marriage to Ellen Knottnerus on June 26, 1965 in Washington, Iowa.

Joe was a life resident of Washington County where he farmed all of his life north of Ainsworth. Joe's family was the focal point of his life. He coached his kid's and grandkid's ball teams for many years and volunteered for nearly 40 years umpiring baseball and softball games in Ainsworth. He enjoyed gardening and taking care of his pond and pine trees. Joe was an avid Iowa Hawkeye Football and St. Louis Cardinal Baseball fan.

He is survived by a daughter Cheryl Griffith and husband Kris of Riverside, Iowa; son Jeff Kaufman and wife Kim of Columbia, Missouri; four grandchildren including Johannah Elliott and fiancé Dallas Petersen of Iowa City, Iowa, Mitchell Elliott of Riverside, Iowa, Cooper Joe Kaufman and Ellie Kaufman of Columbia, Missouri; brother Dave Kaufman and wife Liz of Ainsworth, Iowa; sister Ruth "Dee" Ossman and husband Ed of Ainsworth, Iowa; sister Susan Friederich and husband John of Davenport, Iowa; special friend Sarah Collins of Ainsworth, Iowa; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Joe was preceded in death by his parents, his son Matthew in 1984.