RUSSELL — Leonard A. Funk, 88, died Aug. 17, 2017, at Brookdale Assisted Living in Great Bend. Born Aug. 2, 1929, in Barton County, he was the son of William and Lydia (Litzenberger) Funk. On July 19, 1951, he married Mary Ann Younger in Galatia. A farmer and cattleman, Mr. Funk was a lifelong Barton County resident, residing in Russell the last few years.
He served during the Korean Conflict in the U.S. Army from 1951 to 1953, earning the rank of Staff Sergeant.
Leonard was a member of United Emmanuel Lutheran Church, Milberger, V.F.W., Hoisington, American Legion, Russell, and was an inductee to the Kansas Auto Racing Hall of Fame. He was an avid, successful stock car racer, active in a circuit that covered several Midwestern states. Over the course of over 14 years of racing, he earned the call name, “Lenny Funk the Flying Farmer.”
Survivors include his wife, Mary Ann Funk, of the home; two sons, Dennis Funk and wife Sue of Galatia and Dave Funk and companion Denise Schulte of Russell; one daughter, Shirley Funk of Russell; seven grandchildren, Richard Funk (Ann), Trish Martin (Jason), Jordan Funk, Jennifer Funk, Amy Kinderknecht (Justin), Heath Funk (Shannon), and Taylor Funk; seven great-grandchildren, Aubree Martin, Ava Martin, Landon Funk, Lydia Funk, Lena Funk, Kyndall Kinderknecht, and Karsyn Kinderknecht; one step great-grandson, Kaden Thorne; daughter-in-law, Glenda Funk, Hoisington; and three former daughters-in-law, Cindy, Brenda, and Rola. He was preceded in death by one son, Tim Funk; four brothers, Paul Funk, Raymond Funk, Rudy Funk, and Elmer Funk; and by one sister, Clara Baker.
Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Monday at the United Emmanuel Lutheran Church in Milberger with Pastor Nancy Mitchell and Pastor Delvin Strecker officiating. Burial will be at the Fairview Cemetery in Galatia with military rites conducted by Fort Riley Honor Guard. Prayer service will be held at 7 p.m. on Sunday at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home. Visitation will be held from 1-8 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral home with family present from 6:30-8 p.m. Memorials are suggested to United Emmanuel Lutheran Church or the Fairview Cemetery Fund, in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, P.O. Box 146, Hoisington, Ks. 67544. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.nicholsonrickefh.net.

Funeral arrangements provided by
Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home**
P.O. Box 146
Hoisington, KS 67544
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Aug. 20, 2017