Funk, Alvin Leonard (1911-2002)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 2003 Mar 17 p. 11

Birth date: 1911 Jan 20

text of obituary:

ALVIN FUNK

Alvin Leonard Funk, 91, of Aberdeen, Idaho, died Aug. 21, 2002, at Pocatello Regional Medical Center. He was born Jan. 20, 1911, to Peter F. and Maria Wiebe Funk in Aberdeen. He married Doris E. Mills on Aug. 31, 1934, in Corvallis, Ore.

He graduated from Aberdeen High School in 1929 as salutatorian. He attended Bethel College in North Newton, Kan., Idaho State University and graduated with honors from Oregon State University in Corvallis with degrees in electrical and civil engineering. While at OSU he met his sweetheart, Doris. After college he worked as a chief field engineer and surveyor for the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation. In 1939, President Franklin D. Roosevelt appointed Alvin as postmaster of Aberdeen. He served the community for 35 years, retiring in 1974.

He was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1944, serving in the Philippines. His wife served as postmaster until he returned.

His hobbies were surveying, community and church service. His passion was his family. He was an active member of the Aberdeen Rotary Club since 1946, a Paul Harris Fellow, active in the American Legion, Aberdeen Post 59, where he served as chaplain for many years, and he served as president of Aberdeen Chamber of Commerce.

He was an active member of First Mennonite Church in Aberdeen, serving in many positions in the church. He was also active in Schowalter Foundation, Mennonite Mutual Aid and Pacific District Conference Mennonite Men.

Survivors include his wife, Doris; two daughters, Janice Edmonds of Pocatello and Myrtle "Marty" Freeburne and her husband, Jerry, of Aberdeen; a son, Dean and his wife, Sharon, of Pocatello; 11 grandchildren; 30 great-grandchildren; and a brother, Ronald Funk of Nampa.

The memorial service was at First Mennonite Church of Aberdeen. Burial was in Homestead Cemetery of Aberdeen.