Harvey D. Kaufman

Harvey D. Kaufman, 89, of Mesopotamia, Ohio passed away due to complications of congestive heart failure on Wednesday, March 19, 2025, after a few hours at UH Geauga Medical Center in Chardon, OH.  

Born on March 8, 1936, in Arthur, Illinois, Harvey was the beloved son of the late Daniel G Kaufman and Fannie A (Miller) Kaufman.  On January 12, 1961,  Harvey married Kathryn (Miller) Kaufman, of Middlefield, OH  and they enjoyed 64 years together.

He is survived by his wife, Kathryn, and 5 children: Lydia of Mesopotamia, OH; Paul (Diane) of Bloomfield, NM; Laban (Julie) of Mesopotamia, OH;  Steve (Arlene) of Mesopotamia, OH; and Rose Maria of Minerva, OH. He is also survived by his sister Sovilla Jess of Arthur, IL.  and leaves behind 21 grandchildren, and 22 great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by siblings Anna  Miller, Drucilla Kaufman, Lovina Kuhns, Lena Rocke, Melvin Kaufman, Verna Kuhns, Amanda Schrock, Fannie Hershberger, and his granddaughter Michelle Elaine Miller.

Harvey grew to adulthood near his birthplace in Illinois.  He met Kathryn during a term of voluntary service at Hillcrest home in AR.  When they married in 1961 they chose Mesopotamia as their home base.  Much of their lifework was dedicated to humanitarian aid and evangelism/church planting; first in El Salvador in the 1960s and 1970s, and then in Belize in the 1990s and into the 2000s.  He was ordained as a minister in 1969 and served in that role either abroad or at Zion Christian Fellowship of Middlefield for more than forty years. During their years here in Mespo he worked mostly as a dairy and veal farmer, until his retirement. After  retirement, he enjoyed serving the local community as a taxi driver and greatly valued the friendships he formed in those years.

Harvey enjoyed singing very much and had a strong bass voice. He loved times with his children and grandchildren, and visits from friends. Late in life, he even became an amateur journalist as a scribe for The Budget. He left a legacy of integrity, love for God and for people, hospitality, and sacrificial service.  His passing is both mourned and celebrated.  “Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.” Psalm 116:15

Calling hours will be held on Saturday, March 22 from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. and from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Zion Christian Fellowship, 15474 Georgia Road, Middlefield, OH 44062. The funeral will be held on Sunday, March 23, at 10:00 a.m. at the Mespo Center, 4300 Kinsman Road, Mesopotamia, OH 44439.

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