Funk, Jacob K. (1878-1957)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1957 Feb 7 p. 6

Birth date: 1878 Jun 7

text of obituary:

. . .

— Jacob K. Funk, 78, life long resident of the Goessel community, died Sunday evening at Axtell Christian Hospital where he was receiving treatment for a fractured hip. Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at the Aleanderwohl church. Rev. P. A. Wedel in charge. Mr. Funk was born in the Goessel community and farmed there most of his life. He leaves his wife, who was Amanda Jantz; two sisters, Misses Helen and Elizabeth Funk, and a brother Frank, all of Newton; two nephews and two nieces.

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Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1957 Apr 11 p. 8

text of obituary:

J. K. FUNK

J. K. Funk, son of Peter and Maria, was born south of Goessel, Kan. on June 7, 1878. He grew to manhood on the parental farm three miles south of Goessel, helping his parents in the hard farm work of those pioneer days.

He attended the Emmenthal School and later also the Rev. Balzer School. He treasured greatly the Bible training he received in the Balzer Bible School.

He was baptized upon confession of faith in his Redeemer Jesus Christ May 29, 1898, by Rev. Peter Balzer and became a member of the Alexanderwohl Church, whose faithful member he remained until his death.

He was united in marriage to Amanda Janz June 16, 1918, by Rev. Peter Buller. They were privileged to share the joys and sorrows of life for over 38 years.

Some of the experiences which made great impressions upon the life of the departed occurred during the depression years. These caused him to lean heavily upon his heavenly Father and broadened his Christian life. Another tragic experience in his life was the sudden death of his close friend and brother-in-law. Ferd Janz, who died in 1936 because of a car and railroad accident.

In 1941 he retired from the farm, moving to Goessel in July of that year.

In the evening years of his life Mr. Funk lost his eyesight. For seven years he saw neither sunrise nor sunset. Being blind, he busied himself in repeating Scripture passages or verses of his favorite hymns. One of the verses that he daily repeated was: "Dasz sie Allemeine Tage, meine Sorge, meine Frage, ob der Herr in mir regiert? Ob ich in der Gnade stehe? Ob ich zu dem Ziele gebe? Ob ich folge wie er fuehrt?" His wife Amanda kept close watch over him, and he was totally dependent upon her ministry. In the lonely hours of blindness he often expressed the feeling that his Saviour was close to him.

Early in the morning on Feb.2 he fell, which resulted in a broken hip. He was taken to the Bethesda hospital by ambulance and the x-ray indicated his fracture. He was then taken to the Axtell Christian Hospital at Newton where the surgeons tried to mend the break, but his heart was unable to stand the strain. He passed to his eternal Home on Sunday, Feb. 3, at 8 p.m. reaching the age of 78 years, seven months and 26 days.

He leaves to mourn his sudden death his wife, Mrs. Amanda Funk of Goessel; two sisters, Elizabeth and Helen Funk of Newton; one brother, Frank A. Funk of Newton; three sisters-in-law and other relatives and friends. Two brothers, Peter and John preceded him in death.

Funeral services were held in the Miller Funeral Home and at the Alexanderwohl Church on Feb. 6, 1957, conducted by Rev. P. A. Wedel, pastor of the church.