Obit: Funmaker, Ervin (1932 – 2009)

Contact: Dolores

Surnames: Funmaker, Bearchief, Pamanet, Hernandez, Martin, Decorah, Whitethunder, LaMere, Greyeyes, Burke, Weso, Majia, Morris, Leonard, Logan, Falcon

----Source: Banner Journal (Black River Falls, Jackson Co., WI.) September 23, 2009

Funmaker, Ervin “Erv” “WI CA TI GA” (2 August 1932 – 15 September 2009)

Ervin Funmaker, age 77, rural Merrillan (Town of Alma) died Tuesday, Sept 15, 2009, in his home under the care of Black River Memorial Hospice.

He was born in La Crosse Aug. 2, 1932, to Ed and Mamie (Bearchief) Funmaker.  He attended school in Lake Delton, Wisconsin Dells and La Crosse.  He graduated from Alma Center High School in 1951.

Erv married Harriet Pamanet June 11, 1960, in Mauston. The couple lived in Milwaukee until 1992 when they moved to his family homestead in Merrillan.

He was employed by International-Harvester in Milwaukee as a truck mechanic for 40 years.  He later was a gaming commissioner for the Ho-Chunk Nation for eight years.  He retired in 2000.

Erv was a member of the Masonic Temple 160 – Order of the Eastern Star, a charter member of the United Indians of Milwaukee and a past member of the Masonic Blue Lodge of Milwaukee.  He was an avid member of the Native American Church of North America and served as the treasurer/custodian of the Native American Church of Jackson County for three terms.  He loved hunting, sports, western movies and the Green Bay Packers.

Survivors include his wife, Harriet (Pamanet) Funmaker of Merrillan; a granddaughter Julie Ann (Jose) Hernandez of Oak Creek; grandsons Samuel Allen Funmaker II and Shawn Adam Funmaker both of West Bend; great-grandchildren, Marisa, Megan, and Angelina Hernandez all of Oak Creek; nieces, Sandy Martin and Emma Decorah both of Black River Falls; brothers, Wayne Funmaker of Eland, Carlos Funmaker of Nekoosa, Wilfrid Funmaker of Green Bay, Lorenzo Perry Funmaker and Maynard Funmaker both of Wittenberg; sisters Carol (Howard) Whitethunder, Betty LaMere and Darlene Funmaker all of Lake Delton.  He is further survived by numerous brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews, Dawn Marie Greyeyes and John Burke both of Phoenix, AZ, Scott Burke of New Mexico, Alvin Weso, Jr. of Crandon, Pamela Majia of Wausau, Donna LaMere and Lisa Weso both of Crandon, Faye Morris of Chilton, Anna Rae Leonard of Kenosha, Rose Logan of Wisconsin Dells, Nickademus Leonard, Tom Leonard and Fred Leonard all of Crandon, and Marvin Leonard of Wisconsin Dells; and a special pet, Ma-Taying.

He was preceded in death by his parents Ed Funmaker and Mamie Bearchief; sons, Christian Eric Funmaker and Samuel Allen Funmaker; a sister, Verna Funmaker; five other sisters; a brother, Samuel Funmaker; along with numerous other relatives & friends.

Native American Church funeral services were held at 1 p.m. Friday, Sept. 18, 2009, at the Ervin and Harriet Funmaker residence in rural Merrillan.  Mann John Falcon officiated, and burial was in the Decorah Cemetery in rural Black River Falls.

Family and friends were invited for visitation after 4 p.m. Thursday at the Funmaker residence.

The Buswell Funeral Home, Black River Falls, assisted the family with arrangements.

Online condolences are available at www.buswellfuneralhome.com.