Rolland Funk

Rolland “Ron” Ralph Funk, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2017, at Accura Healthcare West in Newton, after a long illness. A funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 21 at the Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory. The family will greet friends from 10 a.m. until the time of service Saturday at the funeral home. He will be laid to rest next to Roberta at the Newton Union Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be left to Jasper County Elderly Nutrition, 2401 First Ave. E., Newton, IA 50208.

Ron was born in Derby July 8, 1930, the eldest son of Charles F. Funk and Lucille Pauline (Snook) Funk. Ron graduated as valedictorian of his Derby High School class in 1949. He also played varsity basketball and baseball. He joined the U.S. Navy after high school and finished third in basic training in San Diego, Calif. While in the Navy, Ron served as a yeoman on a hospital ship in the Pacific Ocean. He left active duty and returned to Iowa, where he remained in the Navy Reserves for six years.

Ron married Roberta Rouse in 1953, and they were married for 60 years before Roberta passed away in 2013. Ron started out as a truck driver for the Maytag Company and when he retired after 39 years at Maytag, he had risen to the position of inventory controller in the purchasing department. While at Maytag, he earned his B.S. degree in business administration from Drake University. He was a church volunteer, serving as a trustee at First Baptist Church of Newton, a member of the Jaycees and the Elks. He also bowled and played softball on local teams and volunteered on committees for the Maytag Company Family Picnics.

Ron is survived by his daughters, Karla (Frederic) Cook of Red Hook, N.Y., and Karin (Paul) Christianson of Cambridge; four grandchildren, Aleah Christianson, Alex (John) Rasmussen, Sydney Christianson and Bill Cook; three great-grandchildren; a brother, Charles Roderick (Cindy) Funk of Ankeny; three sisters-in-law, Violet Rouse, Elaine Rouse and Wanda (Danny) Cleaver; and many nieces and nephews. Ron is preceded in death by his parents; wife, Roberta; infant daughter, Lise Ellen Funk; and a brother, Marvin Raedean Funk.