Jeanie H Kaufmann

Jean “Jeanie” H. Kaufmann, 78, passed away June 17, 2026 after battling cancer for three years.  She was born May 28, 1948, a daughter of William “Bill” and Helen (Fehr) Belsley of Eureka, IL.

She attended the University of Illinois majoring in Art Education and later earned an Associate of Arts in art from Parkland College. 

On October 6, 1968, she married Larry Kaufmann, who survives, along with their children:  Christine (Les) Kaeb of Francesville, IN; Jill (Jonathan) Sutter of Germantown Hills, IL; Timothy (Robin) of Rochester, MN; Michael (Kristin) of Cedar Rapids, IA; and Sally (Matthew) Walton of Mechanicsville, VA; 14 grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.  Also surviving are her sisters Diana (Bob) Kaiser, Betsy (Loren) Schrenk, and Sharon LeRoy.  She was preceded in death by her parents and an infant granddaughter. 

Jeanie turned her life over to Christ at a young age. She saw beauty in all of God’s creation, and especially enjoyed watching the clouds in the sky, often saying, “Jesus could come in those clouds at any time”. 

She joined many work teams through her church, including mission trips to Mexico and Haiti, and participated in rebuilding projects in the U.S. 

She was a talented artist who enjoyed drawing just about anything, especially birds, as well as painting water color portraits. 

For twelve years Jeanie served as a teacher’s aide in the Cissna Park elementary school.  For 45 years she helped her husband farm in the Cissna Park area.  Upon retirement from farming, they moved to Tremont, IL, where she spent time volunteering in various capacities.  She loved traveling, here and abroad, but her family and her faith were the most important things in her life.  Jeanie will be remembered for her sweet and gentle spirit, her poise, and her caring—always finding ways to serve others.

Her funeral will be at 10:00 am Saturday June 20, 2026 at Tremont Apostolic Christian church.  Ministers of the church will officiate.  Visitation will be from 4-7 pm Friday at the Tremont Apostiolic Christian fellowship hall and 9:00-9:45 am Saturday at the church.  A graveside service will be at 2:30 pm Saturday at the Apostolic Christian Cemetery in Cissna Park.  Davis – Oswald funeral Home in Tremont is handling the arrangements.   

Memorials may be made to Apostolic Christian HarvestCall or Hope Ministries.

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