NORTH VERNON

Walter H. Funke, 103, of North Vernon, passed away at 8:19 p.m. Tuesday, May 3, 2016, at Lutheran Community Home in Seymour.

Born Jan. 28, 1913, in North Vernon, he was the son of Otto and Caroline Miller Funke, both of whom preceded him in death. On June 27, 1942, he married Nola Fischvogt, who preceded him in death Nov. 24, 2011.

Walter served in the United States Army from 1942 to 1946 during World War II. He retired from farming in 1971. He then worked at the North Vernon Water Company until 1975.

A charter member of Lord of Life Lutheran Church, he loved gardening and enjoyed his garden just outside his window at Lutheran Community Home. He was an avid Indiana University basketball fan and attended his first game when he was 100 years old. He enjoyed playing euchre with his friends. He dearly loved his family and friends and adored his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Survivors include a son, Dale (Suzie) Funke of Indianapolis; a daughter, Linda (Pat) Flinn of Seymour; five grandchildren, Michele Mennen, Ryan Funke, Gretchen Blazek, Craig Flinn and Meredith Henry; and 15 great-grandchildren.

Beside his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by a son, Larry Dale Funke; eight brothers, Henry, Frank, George, Carl, William, John, Albert and Eugene Funke; and four sisters, Tillie Phillips, Christine Baldock, Florence David and Elsie Hensley.

The funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday at the Lutheran Community Home Chapel in Seymour with the Rev. Jeffrey Stuckwisch and the Rev. Adrian Krebs officiating.

Visitation will be from 4 to 6 p.m. Sunday at Sawyer-Pickett Funeral and Cremation Service in North Vernon and from 9:30 a.m. until time of service Monday at the Lutheran Community Home Chapel.

Burial will be at Vernon Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Lord of Life Lutheran Church or Trinity Lutheran High School.

Online condolences may be made at sawyerfuneralservice.com.