John Funke Jr.

John Funke Jr., 87, resident of 1110 Marshall Road, husband of Olive Cox Funke, died December 14, 2006, at Wesley Commons.

Born March 15, 1919, in Atlanta, Ga., he was a son of the late Dr. John and Berta Thomson Funke. He was a 1941 graduate of Emory University and a 1952 graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with a BS degree in chemical engineering. Mr. Funke began his career with General Electric Corporation in 1941, and held many positions with the company, mainly in the Northeast, until taking over operations in 1968, at the GE Gas Turbine Division in Greenville. He was in charge of developing the world's most modern gas turbine manufacturing facility and continued to work as plant manager until his 1984 retirement.

A member of John Knox Presbyterian Church in Greenville, he was also a member of the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity and the Elfun Society.

John was an avid sportsman, loving father and husband of Olive who loved him dearly for 63 years. He always shared his bright smile with us and his many dear friends.

Surviving in addition to his wife of the home, are three daughters, Carole Ann F. and husband James Collins of Pittsfield, Mass., Elizabeth F. and husband Peter Robbie of Norwich, Vt., and Janice F. and husband Meade Bradshaw of Charlotte, N.C.; a son, Dr. John III, and wife Margaret Funke of Greenwood; a sister, Anne Funke Goldthwaite of Atlanta; a sister-in-law, Phyllis Cox Carlson and husband Wendell of Lynnfield, Mass.; ten grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

A memorial service is to be conducted at 2 p.m. Wednesday from Asbury Hall at Wesley Commons, with Rev. Carol Peppers-Wray officiating.

The family is at Apartment 1001, The Tree House at Wesley Commons, and will receive friends at Asbury Hall immediately following the memorial service.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Wesley Commons, 1110 Marshall Road, Greenwood, SC 29646, or to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 1741, Greenwood, SC 29648.

To make online condolences please visit www.blythfuneralhome.com.

Blyth Funeral Home & Cremation Service is assisting the Funke family.