Donald H. Funk / Photo: DeBord Synder Funeral Home
Lancaster Bible College said goodbye to a longtime friend in December 2022. Donald H. Funk (’62) passed away one week before Christmas, and he left an indelible impression on his alma mater that will impact LBC students for decades to come.
On May 3, 2018, the college officially broke ground on Donald H. Funk Field, which became home to the men’s and women’s soccer, women’s field hockey and women’s lacrosse programs. The first phase of the project was completed in September 2018 and saw the installation of the state-of-the-art turf playing surface, a new scoreboard, stadium lights and fencing.
Many members of the Funk family gathered with LBC students, athletic teams, alumni, friends and staff to dedicate the field at Homecoming 2018 that September.
Additional phases of the athletics project made the field even more of a campus nucleus, both for student-athletes and the local community. In September 2021, the second phase—the 700-seat Willis & Martha Herr Stadium, which also features a press box, private suite, concessions stand and team storage—was dedicated at Homecoming 2021.
Besides intramurals and other campus events, Donald H. Funk Field continues to impact not only the college but also local sports teams and ministries that visit LBC for tournaments, playoff matches, training camps and more.
Members of the Funk family gather for the dedication of Donald H. Funk Field at Homecoming 2018.
Mr. Funk, 92, was also a Lancaster Bible College Corporation member and a lifelong Lancaster County resident. After graduating from LBC in 1962, he began his career working with his brothers in the family business. Then in 1975, he started his own business, D.H. Funk & Sons Excavating, which has been involved in many projects at LBC.
Donald was devout in his faith and served the Lord in various ways, such as by establishing the youth program at Central Manor Church of God and serving on the Board of Directors for Youth For Christ, Messiah Village, Kenbrook Bible Camp, Penn Manor School Board and the Columbia Re-Uzit Shop. He enjoyed flower gardening, golf and travel.
In 1953, he married Christine M. Millhouse, who passed away in 1989. He then married Susan Hess in 1990. He is survived by three sons: Dennis and his wife, Tammy; Douglas and his wife, Linda; and Gregory (’80) and his wife, Beverly, along with 18 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren. One son, Phillip (wife Kathy), and one great-grandchild preceded him in death.
Read Mr. Funk’s full obituary here, as well as a photo gallery below of festivities surrounding the 2018 groundbreaking and dedication ceremonies for Donald H. Funk Field.
