Leroy J. Funk
(1928 - 2019)
Obituary
LeRoy James Funk died Sunday (Nov. 24,
2019), at Bethesda Home in Goessel. He was born Aug. 13, 1928, in
Kansas City, Missouri, and adopted by Ferdinand and Agnes Funk when
he was 3 months old. His early years were spent in Newton. The family
moved to a farm south of Goessel when he was 5 years old.
LeRoy was baptized at Alexanderwohl
Mennonite Church on May 28, 1944. He married Alice Goerzen on March
16, 1948, at Tabor Mennonite Church, where he became a lifelong
member. They had six children: Sharon, Barbara, Denise, Darwin, Gayle
and Wendy. LeRoy farmed and worked at the Newton flour mill. He then
worked at the Goessel Crossroads Co-op delivering gasoline to area
farmers. He eventually discontinued farming and in 1973 began working
at Goessel High School as the head of maintenance. After he retired
in 1993, he and Alice enjoyed many trips to Branson, Mo.
As LeRoy's family grew, he cherished
each son-in-law, daughter-in-law, grandchild and great-grandchild.
From hunting and fishing with the boys, fixing or repairing things,
attending school music and sports events and babysitting for
grandchildren and great-grandchildren, he showed his love for his
family in many ways. If anything at their homes needed to be fixed,
it had to be taken care of right away.
In 2013 LeRoy and Alice moved into a
Bethesda Home duplex in Goessel. He lived there until August 2017,
when he moved to Bethesda Home after suffering an infection in both
knees that took away his mobility and left him in chronic pain. LeRoy
and Alice celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary in 2018. After
Alice's death in July 2019 from a stroke, LeRoy started declining. He
set a good example to his family of a Christian husband, father,
grandfather and great-grandfather. He always had a positive attitude,
caring spirit, and generous heart.
LeRoy is survived by his six children,
Sharon (Duane) Adrian of Goessel, Barbara (Keith) Banman of rural
Canton, Denise (Elton) Nickel of Goessel, Darwin (Kimberly) Funk of
rural Canton, Gayle Funk (Brian Voth) of rural Newton and Wendy
(Paul) Schrag of Newton; 17 grandchildren; 34 great-grandchildren;
sister Darlene McVey; step-siblings Ralph (Lois) Janzen, Gerald
(Judy) Janzen and Mary (Augustin) Rodriguez; sister-in-law Thelma
Goerzen; and many nieces and nephews who were very dear to him.
Preceding him in death were his parents, Ferdinand and Agnes Funk;
stepfather George Janzen; and wife Alice Funk.
Visitation will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Friday (Nov. 29, 2019) at Tabor Mennonite Church. A Celebration of
Life service will be at 3 p.m. Saturday (Nov. 30,2019) at Tabor.
Cards, memorials and floral arrangements should be sent to Tabor
Mennonite Church. Memorials are for Tabor Mennonite Church and
Bethesda Home.
