Janet Funk

1932 - 2025

Janet Lois Funk passed away peacefully on December 15, 2025. She was born on April 19, 1932 in Cincinnati, Ohio, where she grew up in German-American communities. Her mother, Rosemary Brandstetter Niemer, was the daughter of a grocer on Pearl Street near Findlay Market; Rosemary attended St. Mary's school. Her father, Orville, was a musician as well as a working man, and they operated a pizza parlor together in Western Hills in the 1970s.

"Jill" attended Seton High School, where she met her future husband, James E. Funk of Elder High School, while acting in a play. After marrying in 1955, "Jim" and Jill moved to Pittsburgh, where he earned advanced degrees in engineering and where 4 of their 5 children were born: Lynne Funk (Steven Ballinger), Lori Funk Evans (Mike), Jim Funk (Jenny) and Lisa Price (Michael Roberts).

Dr. James E. Funk joined the University of Kentucky faculty, and a fifth child, John Funk (Angie), was born in Lexington, Ky. The children were raised in the family home on Blairmore Court in Lexington, all attending Henry Clay High School and UK. Jill's life revolved around her family and friends, and she was always eager to hear about the lives of her 9 grandchildren: Michael Evans (Jess Kline), James Funk (Anna Finn), Kimberly Ballinger (Guilherme Cruzatto da Silva), Mallory Evans Donahue (Jon), Jack Funk (Olivia), Ryan Ballinger (Diane Grayson), Nicole Garcia-Funk (Marc), Jordan Funk and Braxton Funk; and 6 great-grandchildren: Wallace Evans, Winston Evans, Joshua Ballinger, Eloise Donahue, Matthew Ballinger and Benjamin Donahue. She looked forward to gin rummy games with family members over several decades, and was always eager to win.

Jill was a great cook and liked to bicycle with Jim to the Lexington farmers market downtown. The pair traveled the world together during his long career as a professor and then dean of engineering at UK, as well as other positions there.

A bridge player, a devoted reader and a commenter on current affairs, Jill retained her curiosity and engagement with the world for over 9 decades. She made special birthday cakes for her children, sewed clothes for the grandkids and attended dozens of family reunions, including many in Wrightsville Beach, N.C.

She was a member of Christ the King Church for more than 50 years, where a mass was celebrated in April 2022 in honor of her 90th birthday. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her brother, Richard Niemer.

Visitation will be at 10 a.m. on Friday, January 2, 2026 at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Lexington, Kentucky. A funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m., followed by a reception. Donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association (alz.org) in lieu of flowers.