HERMAN GUST FUNK, 88, of Linton, Indiana passed away at 7:50 a.m. Thursday May, 14, 2015 in Regional Hospital, Terre Haute, IN.
He was born on Friday, August 13, 1926 in Hammond, IN to Adam and Emma (Gust) Funk.
Herman married Inez Marie (McBride) Funk on June 14, 1946 and she passed away on January 15, 2015.
Survivors include his daughter, Barbara Irish of Linton, IN; grandson & wife, Daniel & Leanna Truitt of Avon, IN; great-grandchildren, Ireland Truitt and Finley Truitt of Avon, IN; sister, Dorothy Werblo of Houston, TX; brother-in-law, Charles Ray McBride of Jasonville, IN; sisters-in-law & brothers-in-law, Betty & Richard Stevenson of Jasonville, IN, Ruth & Coen Whitlock of Terre Haute, IN; nephew & wife, Terry & Vicki Funk who was a former business partner, of Amarillo, TX; many other nieces and nephews; and his loving dog Holly.
He was preceded in death by his parents; wife of 69 years, Inez M. Funk; brother, Dory Funk, Sr.
At Hammond High School he was a member of the wrestling team. He joined the U.S. Navy at 17 and served in the South Pacific during World War II. After joining the Navy, he was selected to go to gunnery school where he learned to shoot and take apart every gun from pistols to rifles to machine guns and 20 mm cannons. Each month the Navy would put on boxing and wrestling shows. For participating as a wrestler, he earned himself steak dinners and 48 hour leaves.
Upon returning, he graduated from Hammond High School and attended Indiana University Extension. On June 14, 1946 he married Inez McBride. While working in the chemical laboratory at Lever Brothers he and Inez built an R.V. Camp.
In 1948 he became a Hammond Indiana Police Officer. While on the force he originated and coached the Police Athletic League (P.A.L.). He was a Motorcycle Officer and Accident Investigator for the Traffic Division and Shift Sergeant and Lieutenant in charge of the Planning Division. He originated Project Alert, a program where the Police Department joined with the Hammond City Chamber of Commerce to bring public awareness of police activities and to get citizens involved in bringing down the city crime rate.
He earned many awards. He was given the first Exchange Club Unity For Service Award of Hammond in 1958 for outstanding youth work. He was given the Outstanding Young Man of the Year Award from the Junior Chamber of Commerce in 1959. In 1967 as Lieutenant, he received the Certificate of Commendation for Outstanding Service to the City of Hammond from Mayor Dowling.
He earned a position on the Hammond Pistol Team where the five best Police Shots would compete with other city policeman’s teams. He was given the Pistol Award Trophy for shooting 10 bulls eyes at a distance of 50 feet.
He retired from the Police Department after 20 years of service in 1968 to join his brother, Dory Funk, and his two nephews in Amarillo, Texas. There he became President of Sports Unlimited. Sports Unlimited was an international company that promoted wrestling and TV shows in the southwestern part of the United States, Mexico and Japan.
In 1978 he retired as President and moved to Greene County, where he and Inez lived on a farm. Later he became the Investigator for the Greene County Prosecutor, David Powell, for 10 years.
Arrangements were entrusted to Michael W. Cox, Cox Funeral Home; 218 South Meridian Street; Jasonville, Indiana. Visitation was scheduled from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday at the Funeral Home. Funeral Services were 2 p.m. Sunday, May 17, 2015 at the Cox Funeral Home with Reverand Terry Joe Whitlock officiating.
Interment was at Lebanon Cemetery in Midland, IN with Military Graveside Rites.
Contributions were made in memory of Herman G. Funk to A.M. Risher Pool. Envelopes were available at the funeral home.
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