John F. "Jack" Kuffner, 84, St. Marys, died Feb. 28, 2013, at his residence.

He was born March 23, 1928, in Washington, D.C., to Fred and Dr. Elizabeth (Yahl) Kuffner. On July 26, 1953, he married Alma Shaw, who survives in St. Marys.

He is also survived by his three children, Kurt (Donna) Kuffner of St. Marys, Kris (Donna) Kuffner of Indianapolis, Ind., and Kathy (John) Lampert of St. Marys; six grandchildren, Elizabeth (fiance Jason Johnson) Kuffner of St. Marys, Emily (John) Meinerding of St. Marys, Alex (Jill) Lampert of St. Marys, Adam Kuffner of Ypsilanti, Mich., Greg Kuffner of Cincinnati, and Nathan Kuffner of St. Marys; six great-grandchildren, Aiden, MaKenna and Cason Meinerding and Braylon, Zoey and Bailey Lampert.

He was preceded in death by a sister, Betty Ruth Maxwell.

He attended high school in Point Pleasant, W.Va., and Memorial High School in St. Marys, where he graduated in 1946. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, having served as an aerographer from 1946-48.

Following his discharge from the military, Jack earned a bachelor's degree at The Ohio University and and Juris Doctorate from Duke University. He was an attorney-at-law for 50 years, with a general practice in St. Marys. He served as the assistant prosecuting attorney for Auglaize County for 24 years, prosecuting attorney for the county from 1967-68 and was county court judge, during which time he received the Ohio Supreme Court award for "Superior Judicial Service."

He was deeply involved with his community. He served on the St. Marys Board of Health in the 1950s, the Western Auglaize County Red Cross Board in the 1950s, the St. Marys United Way Fund Board, where he also served as chairman, was a member of the St. Marys Jaycees, where he had served as president, was a member of the Auglaize County Democratic Executive Committee; was a life-member of VFW Post 9289 and American Legion Post 323, was a 50-year member of Mercer Lodge #121, St. Marys Chapter #52 and St. Marys Council #81. He was named Mason of the Year in 2008.

He was a vital part of the life of Zion Lutheran Church in St. Marys, where he had served as an Elder and Deacon. He served on the finance committee for the new church building in the 1970s, the building committee for the new church facility in the 1960s and 1970s, and was a Bethel Bible teacher in the 1970s.

He was a Golden Age Member of Eagles Lodge 767, past president of the Auglaize County Bar Association, a 50-year member of the Ohio State Bar Association, where he was granted honorary life membership, and a 50-year member of the American Bar Association.

He was a charter member of the St. Marys Kiwanis Club, which was organized in 1956. He served as president and lt. governor of Kiwanis and he attended numerous Kiwanis International Conventions, where he served as a delegate. He received a Hixon Fellowship in 1998 for his service to Kiwanis.

He was serving as a member of the Auglaize County Veterans Service Commission.

The Kuffner's recently donated their woodland to the Heritage Trails Park District, so that others may enjoy the natural beauty of Auglaize County.

In retirement, he enjoyed traveling the United States with his wife, Alma, in their motor home.

Funeral rites are 10:30 a.m. Tuesday at Zion Lutheran Church in St. Marys, the Rev. Bill Maki officiating. Burial, with full military honors, will follow at Elm Grove Cemetery.

Calling is 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Monday at Miller Funeral Home, St. Marys, where a veteran's service will be held at 7 p.m. and a Masonic service at 8 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made to the Heritage Trails Park District or Zion Lutheran Church.

Condolences may be sent to Jack's family via Millerfuneralhomes.net.