Elma Carolyn Kaufmann-Taylor

Mrs. Elma Carolyn Pekie Kaufmann-Taylor, 97, departed this earthly life on Friday evening, September 1, 2017 at her home. The only child of Rudolph Carl and Hattie Louise (Sallach) Pekie, Elma was born on May 25, 1920 in Chicago, Illinois. As a child, she took elocution lessons and did recitations for various groups until she turned twelve and shyness set in. She graduated from Senn High School in Chicago in 1937. Elma and George Edward Kaufmann were married in Chicago at Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church on January 20, 1940. Elma and George were the parents of four children; daughters Karolyn, Lois, and Janet and son Paul. The family moved to Florida in 1950, first living in Starke and then moving to Keystone Heights in 1963 where George and Elma had a print shop. He also worked for the Bradford County Telegraph and Elma wrote a humorous column for The Monitor entitled "Pekie N" during the 1970s. Besides writing, Elma enjoyed ceramic painting and baking angel food cakes, sometimes several in one day for family and friends, a tradition begun by her mother that she continued. Elma also had a fun loving side, sometimes entertaining the family with the appearance of a humorous character she had created. George passed away in 1991 after over fifty years of marriage. Elma continued to live in Keystone Heights in the home that had belonged to her parents, who moved to Florida following Elma and her family. In 2001, she married Arthur W. Taylor, with whom she shared her life for four years before he, too, passed away.Elma is survived by her daughters and sons-in-law, Karolyn and Deane Martin and Lois Clark all of Keystone Heights, Janet and Bradley Coule of Middleburg and her son and daughter-in-law, Paul and Deborah Kaufmann also of Keystone Heights; plus grandchildren, Deborah Johnson, Sandra Patterson, Karen Dicks, Susan Lewis, Jason Kaufmann, Jessica Pevey, Heather Bardier, Bradley Coule, Jr., and Christopher Coule; two step-grandchildren, Darrin Martin and Heather Morse; twenty-one great grandchildren, three step great-grandchildren and three great-great-grandchildren. Also left behind are several nieces, nephews and three stepsons, Charles (Joan) Meyer, Alan (Pat) Meyer and Dennis (Jane) Meyer. Memorial services for Elma will be held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, September 16, 2017, Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, 3760 SE State Road 21, Keystone Heights, FL 32656 with Pastor Paul Lemke officiating. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. prior to the service. A private family interment will be held at Keystone Heights Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to Christ Lutheran Church, 3760 SE State Road 21, Keystone Heights, FL 32656 or Haven Hospice, 6400 St. Johns Ave., Palatka, FL 32177.Arrangements are under the care of JONES-GALLAGHER FUNERAL HOME, 340 E. WALKER DR. KEYSTONE HEIGHTS, FL 32656. 352-473-3176.www.jonesgallagherfh.com Cemetery Keystone Heights Cemetery State Road 100 West Keystone Heights FL 32656 US Visitation Saturday, September 16, 2017 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church 3760 SE State Road 21 Keystone Heights FL 32656 US Memorial Service Saturday, September 16, 2017 2:00 PM - Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church 3760 SE State Road 21 Keystone Heights FL 32656 US Funeral Home Jones - Gallagher Funeral Home - Keystone Heights 340 East Walker Drive Keystone Heights FL - 32656 US (352) 473-3176