Joseph C. Funk, of Funk conversion fame, passed
away on Dec. 2, 2004 at the age of 94 in Coffeyville, Kan.
Joe and his twin brother Howard (who died in 1995) formed Funk
Aviation and Funk Mfg., where they manufactured the popular “Funk
conversions” for the N-series Ford tractors. Funk Mfg. is now owned
by John Deere. During their career, the Funk brothers produced 365
airplanes and an estimated 5,000 to 10,000 Funk conversion
kits.
The brothers made their home in South Coffeyville in 1940 after
partnering with the Jensen family, who owned a manufacturing
company there.
Joe was born Sept. 17, 1910, in Akron, Ohio, and married Juanita
McClure on Oct. 20, 1943. She died on March 22, 1996. He retired in
1975 to pursue a life of travel and working in his home shop.
Survivors include his three sons, one daughter, two grandsons, and
three great-grandchildren.
Joe was an icon in both the collectible aircraft and tractor
industries and will surely be missed by many enthusiasts around the
world.
Waymond L. “Dutch” Schwartz of Eureka, Kan.,
passed away Oct. 13, 2004, at the age of 74. Born on May 10, 1930,
in Wewoka, Okla., he moved to Eureka, Kan., with his family working
with Flint Rig Co. On Dec. 26, 1951, he was married to Betty Larcom
and made their home in Eureka.
After serving in the U.S. Army as a cook at Brize Norton Air
Force Base in Oxon, England, Dutch became head maintenance
coordinator for USD 389 in Eureka, where he remained for 27 years
until his retirement.
Dutch and Betty enjoyed traveling in their camper, meeting and
making friends throughout the region, including Winfield, Kan., Ft.
Scott Kan., and Republic, Mo., displaying Jensens, pump jacks,
Little Jumbos and other small engines and his smoking dragon
monster.
He is survived by his wife, Betty; a son, Carl; a daughter,
Diana; and one grandchild.
Submitted by his daughter, Diana Box, Wichita, Kan.
