Francis John Funk
Newton Kansan
Francis John Funk, 77, of Newton,
passed away surrounded by his loving family on Wednesday (July 28,
2010) at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita.
He was born on April 24, 1933, in
Hillsboro, to Arnold E. and Edna Ruth (Loganbill) Funk.
On Aug. 28, 1954, he married JoAnn
Krehbiel at Eden Mennonite Church in Moundridge.
She survives at their home in Newton.
Francis was an active member of the
Bethel College Mennonite Church in North Newton, where through the
years he served as a trustee, deacon and usher. One of Francis'
greatest passions was his work as coordinator for the general auction
of the yearly Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale. He believed fervently in
the mission of MCC.
In addition to his church activities,
Francis was a member of the Lions Club, the Midwest Tool Collectors
Club and the Southwest Tool Collectors Club.
He graduated from Hillsboro High School
in 1951 and from Bethel College in North Newton in 1957. In high
school and college, Francis stood out as a premier athlete, excelling
most famously in football, where he once broke four helmets with his
hard-hitting style.
Francis continued his education,
obtaining his master's degree from Emporia State University. He
taught industrial arts and coached in Lehigh for five years, then for
30 years in Newton, retiring in 1992.
In retirement, Francis began his dogged
quest for antique tools, attending weekly local and out-of-state
auctions. He was an avid woodworker whose creations, especially his
reproduction wagons, brought joy to many a home.
In their nearly 56 years of marriage,
JoAnn and Francis enjoyed extensive traveling as well as some
spirited square dancing.
Family was very important to Francis
and, whenever possible, he attended his children's and
grandchildren's activities, whether they were in New York, Tennessee,
Colorado, Manhattan, California or Idaho.
Francis touched many lives and leaves
behind many friends. His loss to us all is immeasurable.
In addition to his wife, he is survived
by sons, Keith and Retha Funk of Lakewood, Colo., Mark and Cathy Funk
of Newton and Scott and Mary Ann Funk of Lewiston, Idaho; daughters,
Michelle Funk of Shawnee, and Elyse and Mark Boston of Newton;
grandchildren, Tyler Funk, Melissa Funk, Jacob Funk, Katie Dyck,
Henry Funk, Samuel Funk, Jana Boston and Luke Boston;
great-grandchildren, Liberty and Brian Brigman; brother, Frederick
and Joyce Funk of Viroqua, Wis; and sisters, Marjorie Schroeder of
Mountain Lake, Minn., Shirley and Paul Harms of North Newton, and
Barbara and Dean Reimer of Fort Collins, Colo.
He was preceded in death by his parents
and his eldest grandson, Levi Funk.
Funeral services will be at 3 p.m.
today at Bethel College Mennonite Church in North Newton, with Pastor
Heidi Regier Kreider officiating.
Internment was at Haven of Rest
Cemetery in Hillsboro.
In lieu of flowers, memorial
contributions may be made to the Kansas Mennonite Relief Sale or
Bethel College in care of the funeral home.
