Edith Elizabeth Kaufman

Edith Elizabeth Kaufman, age 103 of Highland, IL, died Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at Cedarhurst of Highland in Highland, IL. She was born on Sunday, December 18, 1921, in Highland, IL, the daughter of Edwin and Elizabeth (nee Ims) Donnelly. On Sunday, September 1, 1940, she married William C. Kaufman who passed away, August 28, 1981. Edith grew up on Deck’s Prairie near Silver Creek northwest of Highland. In her own words… “The salt farm was a fun place to grow up. My sisters and brothers and I had much to do during the Depression Days of the 30s. We fished in Silver Lake and Silver Creek. We had lots of woods to find mushrooms. We would go arrowhead hunting. There were wild blueberries and blackberries. We had cows and made butter and sold it in town. We had chickens, ducks, and lots of guineas. We had a wonderful swimming hole in the creek where kids came out from Highland to swim on hot days.” After her husband died, she researched the early history of our area. She loved all maps and found all the land grants that her family received. She began writing her memories of her life and sharing them with her family. She wrote of early Circuit Riders who stayed at their home and conducted weddings, funerals, and gatherings and of the ministers of the early Methodist Church. She wrote of gypsies who lived nearby during the summers. She was an avid reader and enjoyed reading about Indians and their history up until her death. Her great grandfather gave ground to build the Giger School in 1857, where all area children attended for many years. The Giger Cemetery ground was also given by her great grandfather and along with family and others has been maintained throughout the years. Her love of genealogy took Edith, her sister (Lucy), and niece (Jean Jacober), to Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia researching family history through cemeteries and libraries. Edith was a proud member of The Silver Creek Chapter of the IL Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, along with many of her relatives. Late in her life she found that a Revolutionary War Soldier had owned the property where her family lived. Edith enjoyed cooking. She fed everyone that came to her house. She was a wonderful baker and loved canning strawberry preserves. Edith was a proud farm wife and worked the farm with her husband. She milked cows and raised pigs and chickens. She enjoyed collecting dolls and political buttons. Edith was a member of Salem UCC and the Ladies Guild. Survivors include: Daughter - Karol Kay (Tom) Galbiati, Highland, IL Daughter-In-Law - Sharon A. Kaufman, Alhambra, IL Grandchildren - Lorie L. (Larry) Page, Alhambra, IL, Paige M. (Greg) Basler, Alhambra, IL, Emily R. (Matthew) Flynn, Saint Louis, MO, Dylan N. (Victoria) Galbiati, Allen, TX, Drew A. (s.o. - Tess Wilson) Galbiati, Highland, IL Step Grandchildren - Thomas R. B. (Kristin) Galbiati, Highland, IL, Tiffany A. Galbiati, Glen Carbon, IL, Timothy A. (Christina) Galbiati, Land O Lakes, FL Great Grandchildren - Haley M. (Brandon) Welsh, Foley, AL, Barbara N. Meguire, Alhambra, IL, Sydney M. Basler, Alhambra, IL, Ella R. Flynn, Saint Louis, MO, Lucas R. Flynn, Saint Louis, MO Special Nieces - Linda Korte, Peggy Switzer, Jean Jacober, Carol Price Special Nephews - Richard "Dick" Volkers and Patrick (Barb) Shinn She was preceded in death by: Husband - William C. Kaufman, died 8/28/1981 Father - Edwin Joseph Donnelly Mother - Elizabeth Mary Donnelly (nee Ims) Son - Larry W. Kaufman, died 2/19/2022 Daughter - Nancy J. Jakel, died 12/20/1998 Brothers - Edwin Donnelly, Harold Donnelly, Herbert Donnelly Sisters - Alice Plocher, Lucille "Lucy" Schwarz, Shirley Volkers Arrangements are being handled by Dauderman Mortuary in Alhambra, IL. Visitation will be held from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Monday, September 15, 2025, at Salem United Church of Christ in Alhambra, IL and from 9:00 AM to 10:30 AM on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at Salem United Church of Christ in Alhambra, IL. Funeral service will be at 10:30 AM on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at Salem United Church of Christ in Alhambra, IL., with Rev. Jeremy R. Wood, Pastor, pastor, Alhambra, IL officiating. Interment will be at Salem Cemetery in Alhambra, IL. Memorial contributions may be made to Giger Cemetery or Salem UCC.

Edith Elizabeth Kaufman

December 18, 1921 - September 9, 2025