Mayor Jodi Miller has no doubts that Funk would have been a successful businessman.
She should know. She hired him when he was just 15 years old to work at her former business, Union Dairy.
"He was a very persistent young man," she said. "He came to the Union Dairy several times asking for a job."
Miller was initially hesitant to hire someone so young, but said it proved to be one of her better decisions.
"His qualities — hardworking, dependable, trustworthy, loyal — far outweighed the risk of his young age," she said.
Miller said Funk worked at the seasonally-operated ice cream parlor for 11 years and prided himself in providing good customer service.