Gene Robert Kaufman, 85, of Andrews, passed away at 12:41 a.m. on Friday, May 7, 2021
at Parkview Regional Medical Center in Fort Wayne. Gene was born in Huntington, Indiana
on February 25, 1936 to Burlin and Josephine (Buse) Kaufman.
Gene graduated from Huntington High School in 1954 where he wrestled, played
basketball, football, track, and golf.
Gene graduated from Hanover College in Madison, Indiana with degrees in education and
business. He was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity and played on the golf
team. While attending Hanover, he met, Joby, his wife of 60 years. He worked as an
assistant at Plymouth Country Club the summer after graduation, then returned to
Huntington to teach school. Gene taught bookkeeping, accounting, driver’s education and
started golf in the county schools. Gene, Joby, and his parents designed, built, owned, and
operated Etna Acres Golf Course for over 60 years. They created an atmosphere where
everyone felt like family.
He was a proud 51-year member of the PGA of America. In 2009, he was the recipient of
the Indiana PGA Junior Leader Award and was recently chosen as the 2021 Indiana
Section PGA Deacon Palmer Award winner. He was also a Shriner, a member of the
Wabash Chapter #90 Eastern Star, and a 50-year member of the Hanna Lodge #61 of
Wabash.
His love for the game of golf was infectious! He loved to talk golf with everyone and always
found time to help someone with their game. Gene wore many hats at Etna Acres: golf
professional, greenskeeper, superintendent, teacher, cook, merchandise salesman, and
golf/life therapist…just to name a few. Gene loved the golf course they created and would
sometimes drive around looking at the course, having what he called a “religious
experience”. He also loved following Southwood High School athletics, Purdue basketball
and football.
Etna Acres has been the location for numerous golf fundraisers through the years. In lieu of
flowers, if you have participated in one of those outings, please consider a donation to one
of the charities. A couple that he felt most passionate about included the Shriners Hospital
and Folds of Honor.
Joby and Gene raised two daughters at the course; JoDee (Gary) Dale, of Andrews and
Jeannie (Bob) Stienke, of Wabash; grandchildren Devin (Kelli) Dale, of Wabash, Dayna
Dale, of Andrews, Julia (Andrew) Wegeng, of Indianapolis and Rylan Porter, of
Indianapolis. He is preceded in death by his wife, Joby, who passed on April 16, 2020.
A celebration of life will be held for both Gene and Joby at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 14,
2021, at the Wabash Friends Church, 3563 South State Road 13, Wabash, Indiana 46992,
with Pastor David Phillips officiating.
Calling hours for friends and family will start at 2:00 p.m. and go until the time of the
Celebration of Life at Wabash Friends Church.
McDonald Funeral Homes, 231 Falls Avenue, Wabash, Indiana 46992, has been entrusted
with Gene Kaufman’s arrangements.