H. Richard Funderburk, 86, of Springfield, formerly of Hillsboro, died on Friday, June 14, 2019, at 8:17 p.m. at Memorial Hospice at Heritage Health in Springfield.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, June 19, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Butler Funeral Home in Springfield, 900 South 6th Street. Funeral services will be conducted Thursday, June 20, beginning at 11:30 a.m. at the funeral home with Pastor James R. Hayes officiating.
Private family inurnment will follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery Columbarium with military honors performed by the Interveteran's Burial Detail of Sangamon County. Cremation rites will be accorded.
Mr. Funderburk was born June 12, 1933, in Hillsboro, to Darrell R. and Gladys E. (Cress) Funderburk. He married Barbara Dobrinic on Nov. 7, 1975, in Springfield, and she survives.
He proudly served in the U.S. Navy. After his service time, he went on to work for McDonnell Aircraft, where he worked on engineering reliability and structure for several airplanes.
Mr. Funderburk began working for the Department of Commerce and Community Affairs in 1979 as a marketing specialist. He was designated as “Distinguished Economic Developer for 1984” by the Illinois Development Council, making him the first state employee to receive this honor. He retired from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Community Affairs as a senior economic development advisor in 1997.
He served as a volunteer firefighter in Hillsboro for many years. He was also a certified scuba diver, and taught scuba for search and rescue. He enjoyed woodworking, golfing, spending time with his family and working in his garage with his tools. He was truly a "Mr Fix-it".
In addition to his wife, Mr. Funderburk is survived by his son, Richard (wife Donna) Funderburk of Irving; two daughters, Jennifer Funderburk and Nena White, both of Springfield; eight grandchildren; and numerous great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents; three brothers, Donald, Robert and Ronald Funderburk; and son-in-law, David White.
Memorials may be directed to Computer Banc, 1545 North 11th Street, Springfield, IL 62702; Central IL Foodbank, Attn: Cassie Veach, P.O. Box 8228, Springfield, IL 62791; or Hillsboro Volunteer Fire Department, 110 South Broad Street, Hillsboro, IL 62049.
Online condolences to the family may be left at www.butlerfuneralhomes.com.
