William J. “Bill” Funke

On Friday, October 12, 2012, William Joseph “Bill” Funke, 80,  passed away at 6:14 p.m. at IU Health Tipton Hospital.

Bill was born in Tipton, Indiana on April 24, 1932 to Joseph C. and Edna M. (Vair) Funke. It was when stationed in Jacksonville, Florida while in the Navy that Bill met his future wife, Catherine Rebecca Powell. On January 15, 1955, Bill and Catherine were married at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church in Jacksonville, Florida.

After graduating from Tipton High School, Bill enlisted in the U.S. Navy and proudly served from 1951-1955 as an Aviation Machinist’s Mate in the “Flying Phantoms” Patrol Squadron (VP-18). He was stationed at Jacksonville Naval Air Station in Jacksonville, Florida, where he met squadron mates and life-long buddies, Robert “Bob” Cocking, Clyde “Coolie” Thiets, and Paul Duke. It was during those beloved Navy years that a life-long friendship was formed with these fellows, and Bill and Catherine would spend almost the next 60 years in friendship with Bob and Mary Louise, Coolie and Marge, and Paul and Sandra. It was also during these beloved Navy years that these same fellows got into a lot of off-duty shenanigans, so the many stories go. Bill flew aboard several variants of the Lockheed P2V Neptune maritime patrol aircraft, and it carried him around the globe to distant shores such as Greenland, Labrador, and Malta. Though he enjoyed aircraft of all kinds, the P2V was always his favorite.

A life-long and well-known resident of Tipton County, Bill was a farmer who retired in 1993. In his retirement, Bill loved to ride his Harley Davidson around Tipton county while road-farming (once a farmer, always a farmer). A devoted follower of Jesus, Bill was a parishioner of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, a life-long member of the Knights of Columbus, a member of the American Legion, the Tipton County Historical Society, ABATE, the Harley Owners Group (H.O.G.), and the Ti-On Lounge Social Club. It was at the famed Ti-On Lounge where, this year, Bill’s family and friends celebrated his 80th birthday with him. It proved to be a night of much merriment where many special memories were made.

Bill is survived by his wife of 57 years, Catherine; seven children: Amy and Paul Claire, Indianapolis, David Funke, Tipton, Melanie and Mike Gall, Darlington, Indiana, Susan Funke, Indianapolis, Karen and Matthew Hum, Noblesville, Sarah Funke, Indianapolis, Andrew Funke, Indianapolis, and (adopted daughter) Kristin Erato; seven grandchildren: Jennifer Watkins, Tyler Jackson, Catherine Jackson, Nathaniel Claire, Colleen Claire, Emily Gall, and Jacob Hum; five sisters: Doris Whidden, Florida, Joan Dow, California, Mary Ann Smith and husband Max, Minnesota, Martha Eversfield and husband Dave, Florida, and Donna Miller and husband Johnie, Indiana; many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death are his parents, Joseph and Edna (Vair) Funke, brother Herman Funke, sister Kathleen Funke, brothers-in-law Eugene Whidden and Darrell Blackburn, niece Mary Carolynne (Marcy) Smith, and nephew John Jeremy Miller. Bill was both a good husband and good father. He was also a father-figure to many others who visited the Funke household throughout the years, especially at times when they needed a “dad” in their lives. He was very close to his grandchildren, and enjoyed spending time and reminiscing with them during their frequent visits to see “Poppy and Grandma”.

The family held a private service at Young-Nichols Funeral Home followed by a graveside service at St. John’s Cemetery which was presided by the Rev. Leroy Kinnaman. Pall-bearers were grandsons Tyler Jackson, Nathaniel Claire, and Jacob Hum, and family friends Rich Walsh, Spencer Walsh, and Travis Shuck.  In honor of Bill, memorial contributions may be made to the Tipton County Historical Society, 323 West South Street, Tipton, Indiana, 46072.

The family would like to give a special and heartfelt thank-you to Dad’s attending physicians and medical staff during his illness: Dr. John Mabayoje, Dr. Mary Compton, Dr. Michael Harper, Dr. Frank Workman, Susan Kirby, RN, OCN, case worker Linda Boyer, and all the wonderful and caring nursing staff at Tipton Hospital. With your compassion and professionalism, you not only helped Dad through his illness but you also helped his family get through a very painful time. And, Dr. Destry Lambert, it goes without saying that you held a very special place in Dad’s heart, not only as his doctor, but as a friend.

It is impossible to list or thank all the people throughout Dad’s 80 years who were such wonderful and dear friends to him. Whether it was high school classmates, Navy buddies, fellow Tiptonians, Jim Dandy regulars, or the folks at the Ti-On, you all meant so much to Dad – more than you will ever know. He loved you very much; you were his family, too. Whether you know it or not, you are all a part of our many family stories that Dad so treasured.

Dad’s illness appeared and progressed quickly. The month of September saw Dad taking many trips to the doctor and hospital for various tests. He and the family kept up hope, but all the while his strength was fading. We kids came back to Tipton often during that month to help take Dad to his various appointments and to spend time with both Dad and Mom.

At the beginning of October, Dad had to be admitted to the hospital, where he remained to the end. During his stay, and when he was up to it, he was visited by a number of family and friends. These visits meant a great deal to him, more than those friends realize, and the visits also meant a lot to Mom, too. Always there beside him was his family. One evening, all seven of his children sat in chairs around Dad’s bed while he slept. By this time, he was sleeping most of the day due to the effects of his medication and the progression of his illness. As we often do whenever we get together, we kids started telling old family stories – some sweet, some funny – and many of these stories were about Dad. We were concerned we might wake him; however, we noticed that on occasion Dad had a smile on his face. He was listening to us talk, laugh, and remember, and we think that was the best medicine he received during his illness. The best gift we children ever received from our parents was our happy, stable childhood, growing up together on the farm. Perhaps that night in the hospital, as we retold our treasured memories of childhood days, Dad knew just how much he was loved by us and that he could leave this world knowing what he had meant to us and that he had been a great dad. His job was done.

We kids have always said there were three constants in Dad’s life – meals at 6am/12pm/6pm, a baseball cap, and Mom. At the end, she was the one constant that was at his bedside. Throughout his entire illness, Mom looked after him and tended to his needs, whether at home or in the hospital. While Dad was in the hospital, Mom would get up early in the day, often when it was still dark, and leave home to visit him before any of we kids arrived so that she could sit quietly next to him while drinking a cup of coffee, a routine that had gone on since so many years before.

When Dad decided it was time to call it a day, he left peacefully surrounded by his family.  He left this world well-loved, leaving those he left behind with a lifetime of wonderful memories. And in the end, that is the greatest accomplishment any of us could hope to achieve.

Take it easy out there, Dad. We’ll see you again one day. We love you.