Greetings,
At approximately 5:00 am on Sunday, March 18, Roberta’s father, Edward J. Funk, died in his sleep in his apartment at Blakehurst. He was exactly 100 years and 9 months old. Up until his hospitalization three weeks ago, he had continued to care for himself in his own apartment, and to enjoy his social life with friends. Our suggestions to get together with him were frequently turned down because he had a cocktail party to go to, or had invited friends to dinner. He was continuing to write articles about topics of interest to him for various newsletters, pressing Roberta to edit his writing and provide pictures and a professional look to presentation copies of his articles.
Mr. Funk enjoyed worshipping at the Mission Helpers Center and maintained a close relationship with the sisters there. Recently the Baltimore Polytechnic Institute Alumna Association started a Century Club to recognize the achievements of Poly graduates who reached the 100 year old mark. At a luncheon by the association, Mr. Funk was inducted as the first member of the Century Club, which pleased him greatly.
Both of his grandchildren, our daughter Brenda, and Roberta’s nephew Alex, have very fond memories of doing interesting things with him. Brenda has posted on her Facebook page some pictures of him at our Christmas dinner, 2011. We were planning for Easter dinner with him and friends and Alex and his family were planning to join us. He always enjoyed making holidays into very festive occasions, and would bring something to be acted out, like A Christmas Carol, or read. We have wonderful memories of he and Pat hosting very formal Christmas dinners, with the ladies in their long formal gowns and the gentlemen in their tuxedos. We had some very interesting experiences at them.
When Mr. Funk returned home from his recent hospitalization he began a rapid decline. It seemed to us that as he contemplated the many restrictions which his new health problems imposed, he decided he did not want to continue if it could not be on his terms. He had to have 24 hour nursing care in his apartment, and was not really able to move beyond his bed and his chair in the living room. His condition and his medications made it difficult for him to speak and hard to hear what was being said.
Mr. Funk was not one to talk much about his faith, but I cannot help but think that as he contemplated Paul’s question of whether it was better to die and be with Jesus now, or to live and continue the work of Jesus here, he decided that as he felt he could no longer be productive here, he would prefer to go to the Lord.
We have this assurance, that “living is Christ and dying is gain.” For indeed, “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where Jesus, who went before us, has entered on our behalf.” Thus we commend Edward Joseph Funk to the sure and certain hope of the resurrection in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Yours & His,
DED
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