Shirley E. Kauffman, a resident of Gratz, a loving and caring mother, who raised four children and always placed her family and her Christian values first died on Tuesday, November 21, 2017 in Millersburg.

Born in the rural village of Greenbrier, lower Northumberland County, Pennsylvania, on Tuesday, March 17, 1925, on the Snyder family homestead farm, Shirley was one of 12 children, six boys and six girls, born to the late Emery and Ida (Runkle) Snyder.  Shirley was 92 years old.

Shirley and her second husband, Isaac Kauffman had been married for almost 50 years.

Shirley graduated from Upper Mahanoy Township High School, at Leck Kill with the class of 1943, and helped her husband operate their family livestock, poultry and grain farm in Point Township, Northumberland County.

In her early years Shirley was employed at the Reamer Plant in Millersburg, where she replaced a man drafted into the Army during the Second World War. During her later years she was employed part-time at various local nursing homes, restaurants and stores, and also served as a private caregiver.

Shirley was a member of Grace Lutheran Church, Point Township, for 33 years, and was the leader of the church choir for 30 years.  She was an avid churchgoer.

Shirley also was a talented piano player. During the 1970's, Shirley along with her sisters formed a group called "The Singing Snyder Sisters". The group traveled to area churches, reunions and festivals and sang religious and popular songs of the day.

Shirley and her husband made numerous auto trips throughout the United States visiting many historical sites in the than 48 states, including 12 trips to Florida as well as trips to Mexico and Canada.

Survivors include her husband, Isaac Kauffman, a Korean War veteran, who served eight years in the U.S. Air Force, and a retired farmer and the following four children: one daughter Karen L. Shuttlesworth and her husband Mike Shuttlesworth, Sr. of Williamstown, Dauphin County; a step-son Scott C. Kauffman and wife Beatrice Kauffman; Larry A. Kauffman and wife Kathy Kauffman both of Sunbury; and Kris I. Kauffman and wife Bonita Kauffman of Augustaville.

Eight grandchildren: Jessie K. (Shuttlesworth) Walsh and her husband Robert Walsh of New Bloomfield, Perry County; Michael Shuttlesworth, Jr. and companion Angelia Pier of Tower City, Schuylkill County; Katie (Kauffman) Cochorn and husband Jeremy Cochorn of Sunbury; Justin Kauffman, of Augustaville; Russell Moyer, Jeremy Moyer, Ryan McDonald and wife;  and Jasper McDonald all of Sunbury. One step-grandson, Michael Moyer, died in November 1999; nine great-grandchildren, and three great great-grandchildren.

In addition she is survived by two sisters, Leah Shade and Catherine "Cass" Reiner both of Greenbrier, and two brothers Edward Snyder also of Greenbrier and Clarence "Sam" Snyder of Valley View, Schuylkill County, and 41 nieces and nephews and their spouses.

Shirley was preceded in death by the following brothers and sisters: Elwood Snyder, Crystal Reiner, Evelyn Masser, Rev. Verne Snyder, Bernice Rothermel, Daniel Snyder and Wellington "Sonny" Snyder. Shirley is also survived by a sister-in-law, Lois (Deppen) Snyder of Wilmington, Delaware.

Private burial services will be held at the convenience of the family. Dimon Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., Tower City has charge of the final arrangements.  To sign the guest book visit www.dimonfuneralhome.com

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