Funk, Ferdinand Janzen (1859-1962)

Peabody Gazette-Herald obituary: 1962 Mar 8 p. 1

Birth date:

Text of obituary:

Ferd Funk, 102, Buried In Peabody Last Saturday

Ferdinand Janzen Funk, one of Marion County's pioneers, died last Wednesday afternoon in Topeka at the age of 102. Burial was at Peabody after services at Topeka Saturday morning.

The deceased was a former Marion County police judge, justice of the peace, register of deeds and clerk of the District Court. He went to Topeka in 1907 as executive secretary to Gov. E. W. Hoch of Marion and from 1912 on has been a resident of Topeka.

Mr. Funk was born in Thorn, Germany, an area now part of Poland, and came to America with his parents at the age of 14, who were part of the Mennonite movement to this country during the last century.

In recent years he has lived with a daughter, Miss Genevieve Funk, in Topeka. He remained in surprisingly good health until shortly before his death. He had become ill February 10, but was feeling well enough to attend church services as usual the Sunday prior to his death.

He had a perfect attendance at Rotary club meetings for the past 36 years and was interested in public affairs until his death.

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Topeka Daily Capital article: 1962 Feb 28 p. 4

Text of article:

City Centenarian In Poor Condition

Ferdinand J. Funk, age 102, of 1610 Topeka, prominent in state and Topeka civic affairs for many years, was listed in poor condition at Stormont-Vail Hospital Tuesday night.

Funk, who was hospitalized Feb. 16 had been listed in fair condition, then showed some improvement Sunday and Monday, but Tuesday night was reported to have failed. He is suffering from a bronchial ailment and general weakness, his family said.

The centenarian was active until he became ill Feb. 10

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Topeka Daily Capital obituary: 1962 Mar 1 p. 1

Text of obituary:

Ferd Funk, Topeka Centenarian, Dies

Ferdinand Janzen Funk, who last Nov. 17 celebrated his 102nd birthday with fanfare, died Wednesday afternoon.

Funk who referred to himself as "pretty spry for such an old duffer" remained active until becoming ill Feb. 10. Just the preceding Sunday he attended church as usual. He was hospitalized Feb. 10.

Born on a farm near Thorn, Germany, now part of Poland, in 1859, Ferd Funk came to this country at the age of 14 with his Mennonite parents, settling on a farm in Marion County. His life in Kansas was spent in public office, business and finance until his retirement in 1931.

He repeatedly declared the finest thing that ever happened to him in all his years was coming to America and being offered the opportunities of this country.

As a boy he helped his father for a time on a Kansas farm, then to learn this country's new way of life he worked as a typesetter for a newspaper at Halstead and served briefly as a school teacher. At the age of 20, he went into the real estate, loan and insurance business in Peabody.

He was appointed police judge and was elected to the various offices of justice of the peace, register of deeds, clerk of the District Court and represented Marion County in the State Legislature.

In 1907 he became executive secretary of Gov. E. W. Hoch. At that time he had a furniture and undertaking business at Marion. He made Topeka his permanent home in 1912 when he became secretary of the Aetna Building and Loan Association, a position he retained until he retired 30 years ago because of his health.

But on his 102nd birthday, he acknowledged his health had surprised him, that he hadn't planned a long life. But taking a stroll with the erect posture he was known for, he said one thing he knew for certain: Those who hunch over are bound to be off balance and wobbly.

Although reared a Mennonite, Funk became a Presbyterian when he married the Peabody Presbyterian minister's daughter. Mrs. Mary Lackey Funk died in 1945. A son Willard, died at 17 in 1901. A daughter, Miss Genevieve Funk of the home at 1610 Topeka, survives.

A Rotarian since 1915, Ferd Funk was known throughout the international organization for his record of 36 years of perfect attendance. At one time after retiring, he traveled 40,000 miles, visiting 137 clubs in the United States. He also attended Rotary meetings in seven foreign countries and 16 international conventions.

Year after year, he was given special salutes by Rotary and in 1959 he was named "Mr. Rotarian." One award was a $1,000 grant given in his name toward an overseas scholarship fund. The centenarian liked to recall fellow Rotarians had considered him special at age 90.

Funk was also a member of the Fortnightly Club of Topeka until two years ago.

Funk took out a life insurance policy in 1889, outlived it, but so enjoyed being the company agent's oldest policyowner, he didn't get around to cashing it in until a year ago.

When Kansas celebrated its Centennial last year, he was older than his adopted homestate by two years.

Alert in mind as well as physically active, Funk kept up with current affairs using a large magnifying glass for reading and ear phones (that made him look like a space-man) to hear television talks, Sunday church sermons and Rotary meeting programs.

He said he could recall when rockets were just a part of fireworks, a man's summer vacation was one day spent at the county fair, when people sat down to the dinner table they counted their blessings instead of calories and a baby sitter was called a mother.

Services will be at 9:30 a. m. Saturday in the Penwell-Gabel Funeral Home, with the Rev. Robert Crothers officiating. Burial will be at 2 p. m. in Peabody.

In lieu of flowers, the family asked that memoriams be made to the Topeka Presbyterian Manor, in care of the First Presbyterian Church, or the Rotary Foundation.