Rev. Jay R. Funk was born on June 2,1926 in Ellis, Kansas to James Reader Funk and Vivian Margaret Prall Funk. Not long after that, the family moves to Maywood, Nebraska where Jay graduated from Maywood High School in 1943 as Valedictorian.

From 1944-1946 he served in the U. S. Army, while continuing his education. He studied at the University of Iowa and Stanford University, as well as the University of Nebraska, where he obtained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering in 1948. After graduation, he worked for 10 years as Sales Engineer for Joslyn Manufacturing and Supply Company, before experiencing a call to the ordained ministry. As he said, "I gradually became aware that this is what I really should do."

Jay was recommended by the congregation of First United Methodist Church, in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and accepted on trial in 1958 by the South Dakota Annual Conference. He was appointed as Associate Pastor of Wesley United Methodist Church from 1958-1959. In 1959 he entered Garrett Theological Seminary (later Garrett-Evangelical Seminary) and began serving as a Student Pastor of Montello-Raymond Methodist Churches in 1960. Jay graduated from Garrett in 1962 and was ordained as an Elder and admitted to Full Connection in the South Dakota Annual Conference. In South Dakota he served the Wagner and Delmont churches from 1962-1969, Mitchall United Methodist Church 1969-1970 and Tyndall United Methodist Church from 1970-1971. While in South Dakota he served on the Board of Christian Concerns (1963-1969) and a Trustee of Methodist Hospital in Mitchell (1969-1971).

He transferred to the Nebraska Annual conference in 1971. Here he served York First United Methodist Church, 1971-1977, Geneva United Methodist Church, 1977-1982, Nebraska City-Julian United Methodist Churches, 1982-1985 and Ord United Methodist Church, 1985-1988. While in the Nebraska Annual Conference he served on the Conference Board of Trustees, 1976-1982, Conference Board of Pensions, 1982-1988, South Central District as a Board of Discipleship Representative, 1972-1976 and on the District Building Committee 1976-1982.

After his retirement in 1988 he moved to Lincoln, Nebraska, where there were plenty of golf courses and he could attend the University of Nebraska football games. He was very active in Saint Paul United Methodist Church in Lincoln and led the Chapel Bible Study Class for many years. He was also an active leader in the United Methodist Men.

Jay was preceded in death by his parents, and his brother Robert. He is survived by nieces Ann Rolls (Richard) of Abbeville, North Carolina and Susan Edgren (Mike) of Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin and great niece Kerry Matus (Mick) of Charlotte, North Carolina. Other family members and a host of friends also mourn his passing.

A Memorial Service will be held Tuesday, November 17 at 10 a.m. at Saint Paul United Methodist Church, 11th and M Streets, Lincoln, Nebraska. A lunch will follow at the church. An inurnment ceremony will be held at Ft. McPherson National Cemetery near Maxwell, Nebraska on Wednesday, November 18.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Saint Paul United Methodist Church, 1144 M Street, Lincoln, NE, 68508.