Paul E. Bekavac Funeral Home
Bekavac Funeral Home and Crematory
Obituaries | The Tube City Almanac | December 02, 2025
Karen Lynn (Oates) Kaufman, age 79, of Elrama passed away suddenly on Monday, December 1, 2025, in AHN Jefferson Hospital surrounded by family. Karen was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Monongahela where over the course of 60 years she served as elder, deacon, and trustee and was a vacation bible schoolteacher. Since 2020 she attended the Elrama Community Church and loved her church family. She was a former member of the White Shrine, and a Women of the Moose, Finleyville. She was a proud member and class secretary to the Monongahela High School Class of 1964. Karen found a reason to smile every day and wanted to share that smile with everyone she met. The Village of Elrama will never be quite the same. Born February 26, 1946, she was the youngest daughter of the late William B. and Bernice (Powell) Oates. In April of 1965 she married Dale E. “Bucky” Kaufman who passed away in January of 2012. She was embraced and loved by the entire Kaufman family. She is survived by her children, Dianna L. Kaufman, Richard E. (Libby) Kaufman and Colleen K. (Brian) Fulkerson. Four Grandchildren who she loved with all her heart and was so extremely proud of: Anna Kaufman, Morgan Kaufman, Lila Fulkerson and #44 Crosby Fulkerson. Her sister, Marion (Bud) Segursky of Monongahela, and her very best friend Becky (Allen) Girdler of Eubank, KY; sister-in-law, Frances Kaufman of Houston, TX and many nieces and nephews. She also loved, like her own children, Jim (Karen) Chisholm and Nicole (Bill) Reilley Dosey. In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her brother, William A. Oates, and companion, Ron Dunbar who we lost in August of 2023. Karen felt very blessed to have so many friends to laugh with and love and we were all so fortunate to have her in our lives. Friends will be received in the Paul E. Bekavac Funeral Home, Elizabeth, on Friday, December 5, 2025, from 2-8PM. A funeral service will take place on Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 10AM in the funeral home chapel with Pastor Jude Urso officiating. Burial to follow in Round Hill Cemetery, Elizabeth Twp. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her honor to the Elrama Community Church, 19 Ramage Avenue, Elrama, PA 15038. Offer condolences at www.bekavacfuneralhome.com
Originally published December 02, 2025.
Other deaths:
"Serena Onofrey" ||
