Funk, Frank N. (1870-1955)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1955 Aug 11 p. 8

Birth date: 1870 Feb 3

text of obituary:

FRANK N. FUNK

Frank N. Funk, son of Peter and Elisabeth Neufeld Funk, was born in the Crimea, South Russia, on February 3, 1870, and died July 27, 1955, at the Salem hospital, Hillsboro, Kan., at the age of 85 years, five months and 24 days.

In 1873 he came to this country with his parents and family. They established their home near the Cottonwood River some eight miles northwest of Marion, Kan., and here father grew to manhood.

He received his elementary schooling in the local schools and later attended the Halstead seminary, a school soon thereafter moved to Newton and now known as Bethel College.

On May 26, 1890, he was baptized upon confession of his faith in Jesus Christ by Elder Benjamin Unruh, and received into the Brudertal Mennonite church. He remained a faithful and active member of this fellowship throughout his life, serving as Sunday School teacher and as deacon for many years.

On May 16, 1895 he married Elisabeth Ewert and together they founded their home just half-mile south of the parental home. This union was blessed with two daughters, Anna and Elisabeth, Mrs. Herman R. Nickel, and three sons, Arnold, Otto, and Herbert.

On May 16, 1920 the parents were permitted to commemorate their silver wedding anniversary. A year and a half later on September 14, 1921 mother died.

On August 9, 1923, father married Maria Penner. By God’s grace they were permitted to have life together so that on August 9, 1948 they were permitted to observe their silver wedding anniversary. In early 1939 they retired from the farm and made their home in Hillsboro.

Father was a farmer and loved it. He took keen interest in civic and community affairs and maintained this as long as he lived. For us he has been an example of one who was thorough and prompt in all he did, of one with whom it was a point of honor to be at peace with his fellowmen, of one who loved the church and was generous in interest, in time and in means towards persons in need and the causes of the church and conference.

He is preceded in death by his daughter, Anna who died in infancy, a son Otto, who died in young manhood and a daughter-in-law, Elsie, Mrs. Herbert Funk, who passed away only twenty days before father died.

The immediate family who remain are his wife, Maria; a daughter, Elisabeth and her husband Herman R. Nickel and their children, Effie Lou and Charles S. Edwards, Lola Beth, and Anna Lee, and William H. Ewert; two sons, Arnold Funk and his wife Edna, and their children, Marjorie, Frederick, Shirley, Barbara and Francis and Jo Ann Funk and baby son, Keith; and Herbert Funk and his daughters, Mary Beth, Myrna Jean and Rosanne Faye.