Martin R. 'Dick' Funk's Obituary
Martin R. "Dick" Funk, 88, passed away on Sunday, February 17, 2013, after a brief illness. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, February 22, 2013, at 10:00 a.m. at Perry United Methodist Church with Reverend Jenny Jackson-Adams and Reverend Roland Fall officiating. Interment will be on Friday, February 22, 2013, at 12 noon at Andersonville National Cemetery. Visitation will be on Thursday, February 21, 2013, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Watson-Hunt Funeral Home. The family respectfully suggests donations to VFW, Post 6126, P. O. Box 1185, Perry, GA 31069.
Mr. Funk was born in Winsted, Connecticut, to the late Laban H. and Clara Phillabaum Funk. He grew up in Waynesboro, Pennsylvania, where he graduated from high school. He proudly served our country in the United States Army Air Corps during World War II, where he was a Tail Gunner in a B-17 bomber. Mr. Funk flew 29 missions, each recorded in detail in his flight journal, over Germany and Europe, and actually bombed for 3 days prior to and on D-Day, June 6, 1944. He also received a Russian Medal for his service on a specific mission to Russia and back to England. Upon his return to civilian life, while in watch-making school, he met "the love of his life", Lorraine Hershey, and they married in 1948. Mr. Funk worked in Civil Service at Olmstead Air Force Base in Middletown, Pennsylvania, and came to Robins Air Force Base in 1966 where he retired as a Production Management Specialist with over 30 years of service. After retirement, he spent many hours in his perfectly clean and organized workshop. He was a "handyman extraordinaire", using his mechanical and creative skills as a woodworker, mechanic, and "jack of all trades". Mr. Funk was a long-time member of Perry United Methodist Church where he was a member of the Howell Cobb Sunday School Class. He was a member of the 8th Air Force Historical Society, as well as a member of the 96th Bomb Group Association, where he served as a Recording Secretary. He was a member of the local VFW, Post 6126, and was the former Quarter Master, and also served as Treasurer for a number of years. A truly devoted husband, Mr. Funk is sure to be dancing in the streets of gold with his wife, their spirits reuinted forever. He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 64 years, Lorraine Hershey Funk; his brothers, Robert Funk and Charles Funk; and his sister, Betty Funk Pittman.
Left to cherish the precious memories are his children, Janice Puckett (Darryl) of Waleska, Georgia, Sally Tolleson (Ross) of Perry, and Richard Funk (Lisette) of Macon; five grandchildren, Tripp Tolleson, Ansley Tolleson, Kelly Tolleson, Corey Funk, and Andrea Funk; his brother, Donald Funk (Lois) of Bethyl Park, Pennsylvania; and many nieces and nephews.
Friends are invited to share a special story or leave a condolence for the family in the online guestbook at www.watsonhunt.com.
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