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Donald Edwin Funk, 91, lawyer and WWII veteran

Donald Edwin Funk, 91, of Willow Grove, a lawyer and World War II veteran, died of heart failure Tuesday, Dec. 24, at home.

Donald Edwin Funk, 91, of Willow Grove, a lawyer and World War II veteran, died of heart failure Tuesday, Dec. 24, at home.

Funk, who practiced law for more than 60 years, graduated from Temple Law School in 1951 and started a private practice specializing in wills, trusts, and estate administration in the late 1950s. He practiced on South Broad Street and in Montgomery County. He retired in 2012.

Mr. Funk was born on a farm in Elk Creek, Va., and raised in Altoona, Pa. He was valedictorian of the Class of 1940 at Simon Gratz High School in Philadelphia. He earned a bachelor's degree in business administration from Temple University and one in physical science from the University of Chicago. He became a second lieutenant in the Army Air Corps in 1944, and served two years as a supply officer before leaving the service in 1946.

Mr. Funk was a Philadelphia Athletics and Phillies fan who went to World Series games in 1950, 1980, 1983, and 2008. His son, Donald Edwin Funk Jr., said he watched his father pace as the Phillies played in the 1980 World Series. "He was never one to get down over stuff," said his son, who became a lawyer because of his father. "I said to him, 'Well, they're going to lose.' And he said, 'It's not done yet.' And then they rallied and won."

Mr. Funk enjoyed traveling with his family and had visited more than 40 countries.

In addition to his son, he is survived by his wife of 55 years, Dorothy Alice Funk (nee Boersig); daughter Virginia Alice Funk; and a grandson, William Andrew Funk Goodman.

A private service will be held Monday, Dec. 30, at the John J. Bryers Funeral Home in Willow Grove, followed by a private burial.

Mr. Funk was a colon cancer survivor. Donations can be made to the American Cancer Society, Box 22718, Oklahoma City, Okla., or cancer.org/donate.

610-313-8105 @MichaelleBond