IRVING I. KAUFER

IRVING I. KAUFER May 4, 1928 - January 29, 2017 Irving I. Kaufer, 88, of Laflin, passed away Sunday evening, January 29, 2017 in the Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center, Plains Township.


Born in Wilkes Barre on May 4,1928, he was the youngest of 13 children of the late Joseph and Gussie Bransdorf Kaufer.


Following his discharge from the Navy in 1946, he began to work at American Furniture in Wilkes-Barre as a Traveling Manager. Then, in 1947 he went to work for his future father-in law, Abe Kaplan, at Kaplan's Furniture Store in the Heights section of Wilkes- Barre. He eventually acquired ownership of Kaplan's until his retirement in 1992 at which time his daughter, Pamela Dixon, and son-in-law, David Mayers, continued the legacy at Kaplan's Furniture.


In May 2002, Wilkes-Barre Area School District awarded Irving his official high school diploma along with a special acknowledgment for his patriotic duty to his country during World War II.


Irving married his high school sweetheart, Hindy Kaplan, in March 1948. Together they enjoyed 68 wonderful years together both in Wyoming Valley and in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, Florida. He was a member of Fox Hill Country Club, Exeter where he enjoyed many years of golf and friendships. He continued enjoying his days at "The Club" playing cards several times a week and looking forward to dinners with friends and family. During his many years as a "snowbird" he golfed, socialized and dined with Hindy, at The Fort Lauderdale Country Club. Irving was also a board member for the former Anshe Emes Synagogue and a member of the Ohav Zedek Synagogue, The Jewish War Veterans and The Jewish Community Center, Wilkes Barre.


In addition to his parents, Irving was preceded in death by his best friend and loving wife, Hindy, and his 7 brothers; Phil, Henry, Woody, Sam, Raymond, Robert, and Max Kaufer, as well as his 5 sisters, Sally Silver, Ruth Korson, Pearl Sandler, Bella Siegel and Hannah Hafetz.


Irving is survived by his three devoted daughters and sons-in-law, Gloria Greene (Dr. Geoffrey), Terri Mayers (David) and Pamela Dixon ( Bill ). He will always be remembered with love by the grandchildren he cherished; Dylan, Trevor, Jared Greene and Stacey Greene Koppell, Ryan and Matthew Mayers, and Skyler and Mallory Dixon.


He felt so blessed with the birth of each of his 9 great-grandchildren and loved watching the videos and pictures when he couldn't be with them in person: Jack, Henry, Liza, Norah and Hannah Mayers and Asher, Isaac, Elijah and Nathan Greene.


Graveside funeral service will be 1:30 pm Tuesday, in Anshe Emes Cemetery, Rear 6 Blanchard Street, Plains 18705. Rabbi Dovid Kaplan will officiate.


Arrangements by Rosenberg Funeral Chapel, Wilkes-Barre.


In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Irving's favorite charity, The Alzheimer's Association, 95 North Franklin St., Wilkes-Barre, PA 18701


Shiva (visitation) will be observed at the Woodlands, Tuesday 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm and Wednesday 3:00 pm to 6:00 pm.

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