Jewish Funeral Chapel

Photo: Family photo)Herbert Kaufman, owner of the Ira Kaufman Chapel, died Wednesday on his 94th birthday, a week before he was to be recognized for 60 years in the funeral profession. Kaufman served as past president of both the Jewish Funeral Directors of America and Temple Beth El. He was a proud member of Congregation Shaarey Zedek, Temple Beth El and Temple Israel, according to his online obituary. Mr. Kaufman "was always a positive energy and loved by everyone he met," said his grandson Chad Techner. "He would sit with random people and in five minutes they would be laughing it up."Techner, 36, added that Mr. Kaufman was always great to his family."I am grateful we got to spend so much time with him," Techner said. "We'll miss him."Mr. Kaufman was also involved in the Quarter Century Club. His late wife, Babs, had been honored by Israel Bonds. Read more:Mr. Kaufman is survived by his son Joseph (Bud) Kaufman, daughter Ilene Techner and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren. From left, David Techner, Herbert Kaufman, Chad Techner and Josh Tobias (Photo: Family photo)A funeral was held Friday.Contact staff writer Ann Zaniewski at 313-222-6594 or azaniewski@freepress.com. Follow her on Twitter: @AnnZaniewski. Omar Abdel-Baqui contributed to this report.Read or Share this story: https://on.freep.com/2GTyZg0... (Detroit Free Press)