Melvin G. Kauffman helped to save Joseph Urban and Randolph Giering from burning, New Bedford, Pennsylvania, January 7, 1972. Joseph, 17, and Giering, 18, high-school students, in separate automobiles, were injured and knocked unconscious when the two vehicles were involved in an accident. Joseph was in a sedan, which broke into flames at the rear end; and Giering was in a coupe, the engine of which caught fire. Kauffman, 40, mail carrier, ran to the open right front door of the sedan, where a lathe operator already was pulling Joseph toward the opening. Kauffman reached into the front-seat section and aided in removing Joseph from the sedan. The two men then ran to the coupe, the left door of which was open. The lathe operator entered the vehicle and pulled on Giering, whose legs were caught. Kauffman climbed into the coupe and managed to free Giering’s legs. He then backed out and, after the lathe operator had pulled Giering halfway from the sedan, aided in removing him fully. Joseph and Giering recovered from their injuries.
52666-5988Obituary
Melvin Gene Kauffman of Marr Road, Pulaski, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully at Family Hospice on Friday morning, Dec. 23, 2022, at the age of 91.
Born Aug. 13, 1931, to Lewis A. and Florence Mayberry Kauffman, he lived his entire 91 years in Pulaski, Pennsylvania
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Melvin was a 1949 graduate of Union High School and served in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict.
He was affectionately known as Melvin the Mailman during his years delivering mail to the Pulaski area. He then drove school bus for Wilmington Area School District after retiring from the mail route.
He was an active member of the United Presbyterian Church of New Bedford for 80 years.
Melvin would often be found on his lawn mower, but also enjoyed camping, square dancing, bowling, singing with the church choir and spending time with his wife and daughters.
He was a member of the New Castle Honor Guard and he received the Carnegie Hero award.
Survivors include his wife of 67 years, Patricia A. “Tish” Kearns Kauffman, whom he married Aug. 6, 1955; his daughters, Lauri A. (Paul) Kapuchuck of New Castle and Kristine K. (Joseph) Phillips of Erie, Pennsylvania; and a sister, Florence Allison of Edinburg, Pennsylvania.
Melvin was preceded in death by his parents; a sister, Frances Wallace; and brothers-in-law, Robert Wallace and Paul Allison.