Eldon "Butch" Funte

Eldon “Butch” Funte, 66, of Clarion passed away June 27, 2012 at Iowa Specialty Hospital of Belmond.

Funeral services for Eldon Funte will be held at 2:00 PM on Monday, July 2, 2012 at the Clarion Church of Christ, 420 North Main Street, in Clarion with Pastor Warren Curry officiating. Burial will be at Evergreen Cemetery in Clarion.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 1, 2012 from 4:00 – 6:00 PM at Ewing Funeral Home, 602 North Main Street, in Clarion and will continue one hour prior to services at the church.

Eldon “Butch” Funte was born March 10, 1946 in Osage to Glenn and Elva (Minnis) Funte.

Butch attended school in Hampton and served in the United States Army for 6 years in Korea, Germany, France, and Vietnam, as well as another 14 years in the Army National Guard.

Butch was united in marriage to Linda Bundy on June 7, 1969 in Waverly.  They were married 43 years.  Butch and Linda grew up next door to each other on their family farms, but never met until Butch’s sister set them up on a blind date many years later.

Butch worked as a truck driver until being diagnosed with cancer in 2011, which forced him into retirement.

Butch was an active member in the local VFW and American Legion posts, and carried the flag in the Festival In The Park parade for more than 25 years.  He also served in the annual Memorial Day services and Avenue of the Flags at Evergreen Cemetery in Clarion.

Butch was a member of the Clarion Church of Christ, where he was active in the Band of Brothers, a men’s Bible study and fellowship group.

Butch enjoyed auto and truck mechanics, building model trucks, fishing, reading, and playing cards.

Butch is survived by his wife Linda; his siblings Mariel (Leon) Betts, Glenda (Ken) Harms, and Kris (Steve) Larson; his children Michelle (Kevin) Engle, Missi Funte, Mindi (Terry) Thompson, and Marci Funte; his grandchildren Lee, Glendon, and Gabrielle Engle; along with many other family members and friends, and his beloved dachshund Duke.

Butch was preceded in death by his parents.