Funk, Heinrich H. (1867-1944)

Christlicher Bundesbote obituary: 1944 Mar 7 p. 14

Birth date: 1867 Mar 8

text of obituary:

Heinrich H. Funk, Sohn von Gemeinde-Lehrer Jakob und Maria Heinrichs Funk, wurde den 8ten März 1867, zu Konteniusfeld, Südrußland geboren. Da dieses Dorf vom einem Feuer verzehrt wurde, zogen die Eltern mit Kindern wieder zurück nach Prangenau. Von hier kamen sie 1875 nach Brudertal nahe Hillsboro, Kansas. Hier wuchs Bruder Funk zum Mannesalter, teilnehmend an solchen Vorrechten und Aufgabe wie es jene Pionier-Zeit mit sich brachte. In einem christlichen Heim erzogen, ward er am 25. Mai, 1885 von Aeltester Wilehlm Ewert Sr. getauft und Glied der Mennonitengemeinde zu Brudertal. Durch reges Anteilnehmen und Treue in der Arbeit hat er diese Gliedschaft aufrecht erhalten. Nach Vermögen hat er der Gemeinde treu als Sonntagsschullehrer, Superintendent, als Eigentums-verwalter, und als Gesangleiter gedient. Das letzgenannte Amt wurde ihm am 17. Okt. 1894 aufgetragen und hat diese Arbeit also beinahe fünfzig Jahre lang getan. Am 9. Nov. 1893, heiratete er Anna Kasper. Diese Ehe wurde mit 4 Söhnen und 3 Töchtern gesegnet; die alle leben. Am 9. Nov. 1918 durften Geschwister Funks in ihrem Heim die Silberhochzeit feiern, und am 9. Nov. 1943 hatten sie das hohe Vorrecht unter reicher Teilnahme die goldene Hochzeit zu feiern. Es war für sie ein Danktag dem himmlischen Vater gegenüber für all Seine herrliche Wohltaten und Führungen in ihrem Eheleben. Bald darauf fing Bruder Funks Gesundheit merklich an abzunehmen. Im Salem Hospital wurde eine schwere Operation an ihm vollzogen. Es wurde ihm jedoch nicht gewährt von seiner Krankheit zu genesen und am 22. Feb. 1944 starb er im Alter von 76 J. 11M. und 18 Tagen. Er hinterläßt seine Gattin, seine Kinder: Paul, Albert, Jacob, Frank; Martha, Mrs. C. R. Duerksen; Maria, Mrs. H. D.Duerksen; und Helene, Mrs. Herman Reimer; einen Bruder, Jacob H. Funk, Drake, [Sask.] [transcriber’s note: one line is missing from the original newspaper. Heinrich H. Funk had two living sisters in 1944: Helena, Mrs. Ezra Funk, and Aganetha, Mrs. Bernhard E. Rempel] Rempel von Nippawin, Sask. und Ezra Funk von Drake, Sask.; 25 Großkindern, und viele Freunde. “O Vaterherz, Du bist nun eingegangen / Zur ew’gen, sel’gen Ruh! / Der Kampf ist aus, / In ew’ger Freude lebest Du. / Für uns hast Du gelebt, gebetet, / Mit inniger Liebe hast Du uns geliebt. / Und nun: Ruh’ sanft nach Kampf und Streit / Dein Heiland hat für Dich ein Heim bereit’ / In seiner Gegenwart. / Dort treffen wir Dich einmal wieder, / Wenn unser Lauf vollbracht; / Und singen ewig Jubellieder / Dem, der alles wohlgemacht.” Bei der Begräbnisfeier am 25. Febr. in der Brudertal Kirche, dienten die Prediger J. M. Regier in Deutsch, Text Eph. 2, 8, und A. E. Funk in Englisch, Text 1 Mose 5, 24. Er ruht auf dem Brudertaler Kirchhof.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1944 Mar 2 p. 1

text of obituary:

News of General Interest

. . .

— At the Brudertal church on Friday, Feb. 25, funeral services were held for H. H. Funk, pioneer farmer of the community who died at the Salem Hospital Tuesday morning, Feb. 22. Mr. Funk spent nearly all of his life in the Hillsboro neighborhood, having come there from Russia as a lad of seven years with his parents in 1875. Only last November he and his wife celebrated their golden wedding.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1944 Mar 16 p. 3

text of obituary:

HENRY H. FUNK

Henry H. Funk, son of Rev. Jacob and Maria Heinrichs Funk, was born on March 8, 1867, in Konteniusfeld, South Russia. Because fire consumed the village and also their house, his parents moved back to Prangenau from where in 1875 they came to America, finding a new home in the Brudertal community near Hillsboro, Kansas. Here he grew to young manhood, enjoying such privileges and assuming such tasks as were a part of the pioneer life in the newly settled community.

Because of the positive Christian influence and training in the home and the church his heart was prepared to receive the appeal of his Savior to follow Him. As a result he was baptized upon the confession of his faith on May 24, 1885, by the Elder Wm. Ewert Sr. and received into the fellowship of the Brudertal Mennonite Church.

Here he remained a faithful and active member up to the time of his departure. He served the church on various occasions as Sunday School teacher and as superintendent, as trustee and as song leader. In this latter capacity he served up to the time of his death, or for a period of nearly 50 years, having been elected to it on Oct. 17, 1894.

On Nov. 9, 1893, he married Anna Kasper and together they established their home in the Brudertal community. This union was blessed with four sons and three daughters, all of whom are living and present today. Due to Bro. Funk’s failing health, he decided to retire from farming in 1922 and so the family established their home in Hillsboro.

On Nov. 9, 1918, they had the privilege of celebrating their silver wedding in their home.

On Nov. 9, 1943, Bro. and Sis. Funk had the rare good fortune of celebrating their fiftieth wedding anniversary in the presence of the family and many relatives and friends. It was observed as a day of thanksgiving to God for all His wonderful goodness to them. Since then Bro. Funk’s health began to fail quite noticeably. Several weeks ago it was deemed necessary to take him to the local hospital. A major operation was undertaken but recovery was not granted him. So at 5 A.M. Feb. 22, 1944, his Saviour, whom he loved and whom he served came for him. He reached the age of 76 years, 11 months and 18 days. To his family he was a loving and praying father. It was his daily prayer that all his loved ones might be saved.

As a farmer he was industrious and an asset to the community. As a church member he was active and loyal, as a Christian he was faithful and sincere.

He precedes in death his wife; four sons, Paul, Albert, Jacob, and Frank; three daughters, Martha — (Mrs. C. R. Duerksen); Mary (Mrs. H. D. Duerksen); and Helen (Mrs. Herman Reimer); one brother, Jac. H. Funk of Drake, Sask.; three sisters, Mrs. P. W. Funk, Mrs. Ben Remple and Mrs. Ezra Funk, the last two of Nippawin and Drake, Sask. respectively; 25 grandchildren and many relatives and friends. His father and mother, two brothers and three sisters and an infant grandchild preceded him in death.

“It seemeth such a little way to me,

Across to that strange country, the Beyond;
And yet not strange, for it has grown to be
The home of those of whom I am so fond;
They make it seem familiar and more dear,

As journeying friends bring distant countries near.”

Funeral services were held February 25 in the Brudertal church at Hillsboro, Kansas. Rev. A. E. Funk spoke in English on Genesis 5, 24, and Rev. J. M. Regier in German on Ephesians 2, 8. Bro. Funk is resting now in Brudertal cemetery at the side of his parents.

Mrs. Funk and family express thanks and appreciation for the many cards of sympathy and words of comfort received during the illness and death of their husband and father.

The Mennonite obituary: 1944 Apr 11 p. 16