Kenneth Funkhouser

1922 - 2016

Kenneth (Casey) Funkhouser

Kenneth Roland (Casey) Funkhouser was born in Greene County, Missouri on 1 February 1922, the youngest of five children of Henry Lee and Nellie M. Funkhouser. He moved peacefully to his "Mansion on the Hilltop" on June 5, 2016.

Casey is survived by his wife Donna of the home in Springfield; a daughter Mrs. Ray (Shari) Banning of Willard, a daughter Mrs. Jerald (Diane) Baldwin of Yukon, Oklahoma, and a son Kenneth Daniel (Debbie) Funkhouser of Overland Park, Kansas; seven grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; two great-great grandchildren; and friends too numerous to count. Casey was preceded in death in 1976 by his first wife, June V. (Groves) Funkhouser.

Casey embarked on a truck driving career in Canada/Alaska driving a large equipment hauler supporting the construction of the Alcan Highway after which he served honorably in the Pacific with the Navy during WWII. After the war Casey returned to Springfield where he drove for Campbell 66 Trucking. In the 50's Casey and long-time friend Maurice Burlison started a small neighborhood grocery business, Sav-Mor markets. Casey's final career change occurred in the late 1950's when he became a Realtor and worked for several agencies in Springfield eventually obtaining his broker's license and opening Casey's Reality.

He was a Shriner and very active in their fund raising efforts for children's health care and also a member of a local Gideon camp supporting that effort for many years. A long-time member of the Springfield SERTOMA club he participated in their support of the Springfield Boy's and Girl's Clubs in various endeavors even taking home the #1 spot for best Chili in the first Sertoma yearly Chili Cook-Off. He was a Boxing Coach when that sport was part of the Boy's Club program and served the Missouri Boxing community as a licensed boxing referee officiating at over 2000 boxing matches. Born into a musical family, music was one of Casey's many passions. He was the choir director for a number of local churches, sang in several quartets and enjoyed both entertaining and inspiring with his music. As a part of the group "Donna and the Frontiersmen" he continued to sing well into his twilight years.

Casey was known for his quick wit and many stories, he never considered anyone a stranger, just a friend he hadn't met. He had an infectious smile, and even in his waning years loved people entertaining on any stage available.

Visitation will be Wednesday, June 8, 2016 from 6 to 8:00 p.m. in Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home. Funeral Services will be held Thursday, June 9, 2016 at 1:30 p.m. in the funeral home. Graveside Service will follow with full military honors in Missouri Veterans Cemetery.