James Frederick Funke

James "Jim" Funke Asheville, NC ~ James "Jim" Frederick Funke, 88, of Asheville and formerly of Winter Park, FL, died Wednesday, February 9, 2011. A native of Detroit, MI, he was a son of the late Alexander and Johanna Funke. He was also preceded in death by his wife, Betty Mae Funke, who died in 1998. Jim retired as a fire fighter in the city of Detroit, MI with over 25 years of service. Following his retirement, he oversaw fire and safety compliance with the construction of Disney World. He was of the Catholic faith and a US Navy veteran, serving during WWII. He is survived by three daughters, Charlene R. McLeod and her husband, Stephen, of Asheville, Cynthia M. Burt of Apopka, FL and Jessica King of Swannanoa, NC; two sons, Dennis J. Funke and his wife, Barbara, of Roanoke, AL and Rodney A. Funke and his wife, Becky, of Chuluota, FL; two sisters, Marce Herter of Plymouth, MI and Lorraine DeBoutte of Northville, MI; one brother, George Funke or Weidman, MI; five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, February 14, 2011 at St. Eugene's Catholic Church with Father Ed Sheridan officiating. The family will receive friends from 4:00-6:00 PM on Sunday, February 13, 2011 at Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian. Entombment will be in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens in Murphy, NC. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made in Jim's memory to a charity of one's choice. Groce Funeral Home at Lake Julian is assisting the family.