Funk: Long-time member John Funk dies

John Funk

Master Gunnery Sergeant John (Jack) Henry Funk, USMC (Ret.), 86, of Virginia Beach, VA, passed away on Friday, June 19, 2009.

John attended the University of Buffalo and the Military Journalism School at Great Lakes. He was a member of the USMC Combat Correspondents Assoc., The Fleet Reserve Assoc-Branch 5, The Disabled American Veterans-Chapter 20 and he was Past President of The Norfolk Toastmaster Club. He was also a member of the Virginia Beach Seniors Golf Club and the Northside Tennis Group. He attended Catholic services at the NAB Little Creek Chapel.

John was a decorated veteran of WWII, Korea and Vietnam. He was a recipient of the Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Citation, Asiatic Pacific ribbon with three stars, Philippine Service Medal, UN Korean Service Medal and Vietnam Service Medal with two stars. After his military service, John served as the Public Affairs Officer for the Norfolk Naval Supply Center.

John is survived by his high school sweetheart and wife of 63 years, Gloria McGuire Funk; three sons, John G Funk and wife Stephanie of Fullerton, CA, Gerald Funk and wife Genene of Virginia Beach, VA and Joseph Funk of Norfolk, VA; grandchildren, Scott Funk and wife Cathy, Emily Rooks and husband Kevin, and Susan Funk, all of Virginia Beach, VA, Christie Funk of Newport News, VA, Mike Funk and fiancée Lindsay of Laguna Beach, CA and Grady Funk of Dana Point, CA; three great grandchildren, Chas Funk, Davis Funk, and Jillian Foster; and several nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two sisters, Peggy and Kay.

A graveside service will be conducted at 11 a.m. on Thursday at Forest Lawn Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Hollomon-Brown Funeral Home, Bayside Chapel on Wednesday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to be made to the Davis Corner Volunteer Rescue Squad. Condolences may be offered to the family at www.hollomon-brown.com.