Wilfred "Whip" Albert Funk Obituary in Grande Prairie at Oliver's Funeral Home & Crematorium

Obituaries

Wilfred "Whip" Albert Funk

December 05, 1950 - October 22, 2023

Obituary For Wilfred "Whip" Albert Funk

Wilfred Funk, better known as Whip, passed away peacefully into the loving arms of Jesus, on Sunday, October 22, 2023, at the Grande Prairie Regional Hospital, at the age of 72 years.

Whip was born December 5, 1950, to Wilfred and Mary Funk, formerly of Wembley, AB. He was the second oldest of six siblings.

He met the love of his life Heather in 1968, and they were married in 1970. They were married two weeks, shy of 53 years.

As a young man, Whip worked in the lumber industry and worked his way up to millwright. At the age of 23, he started working in the oil patch. Because of his work ethic, he worked his way up from roughneck to wellsite supervisor in a short period of time. He spent time working in Russia, where he made lots of new friends.

He retired at the age of 65, and spent the next years doing the things he had loved all his life. No one worked harder or played harder than Whip.

He loved his family beyond measure. He also loved his friends, with whom he hunted, fished, boated, sledded, flew, toured on his Harley, quaded, vacationed, laughed, and loved deeply.

Whip leaves behind his loving wife Heather; his two children Carey Funk and Dawn (Funk) Orrick; son-in-law Zach Orrick; grandchildren: Careyelle (Gurp) Funk, Shelbie (Dalyn) Funk, Leslie (Mitch) Mann, Gabrielle Funk, Sarah Orrick, and Caleb Orrick; great-grandsons Colton Girard and Charlie Girard; great-granddaughter Autumn Mann; four sisters: Margaret (Don) Ventress, Lois (Frank) Funk, Carol Nellis, and Alice Funk; bother Floyd Funk; as well as aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and a multitude of friends. He is already greatly missed.

Whip was predeceased by his grandparents Abraham and Susan Funk, and Arthur and Elisabeth Barre; his parents Wilfred and Mary Funk; as well as brothers-in-law Bryant Ventress and Wayne Nellis.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, November 3, 2023, at 2:30pm, at People’s Church in Grande Prairie, AB (11850 108 St.).

A Livestream of the service will be accessible 15 minutes prior to the service on Whip's obituary on Oliver’s Funeral Home website.

Memorial Donations may be made to Rising Above (11007 106 St., Grande Prairie, AB, T8V 2Z3), or Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (17321 108 Ave. NW, Edmonton, AB, T5S 1G2).

Live Stream

Services

3 Nov

Celebration of Life

02:30 PM

Peoples Church 11850 108 St Grande Prairie, AB T8V 8G5 Get Directions »

by Obituary Assistant

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Condolences

November 04, 2023

Bonnie Hanson

Heather, Dawn and Carey, my thoughts and prayers are with y'all. The grandkids and their families also. You were so kind to me when I got married Heather and I remember meeting everyone at the Funk Reunion there. I just have memories of laughter, and memories of gatherings with my mother Rosella. Wilf and Mary, and the Funk's just had a family way about them. I miss them all and know when we see each other again it'll be like a blink of an eye for them. We here can look forward and be thankful for the memories. Saddened for everyone's loss, Maggie, Carol, Floyd, Alice and Lois.
November 04, 2023

Lawrence Hagen

Sorry to hear of Whip's passing. I enjoyed working with Whip in the Prince George area in our early years. Our sincere condolences to Heather and family. Lawrence & Marcine Hagen
November 01, 2023

Tom Quinn

My Condolences to Heather, Dawn , Carey on Whips passing . He was a bit of a living legend they broke the mold after he was born . He was very family grounded - everything he did usually had family involved . He was a bit of a Renegade in the Oil business , but worked his way to the top as a Consultant . If you needed advice on what a service rig could do ask Whip - been there done that . He trained his share of men . Usually young men came looking for work -Whip would hire and teach them how to work And be safe - we was an excellent teacher . His other hobbies - Hunting - Fishing - Sledding -Harley Motorcycles with many fun runs to Sturges . Whip was also a huge Car guy . He always had a hot rod of some sort in the Garage. He had huge group of friends always just a text away , he was always checking in and check on his buddies and their families . I am going miss my weekly texts . There are so many great stories I could go on forever . Whip was one of a kind and a true friend who would give his shirt of his back if you were without . I know Heaven will be a lot more fun with Whip there . The Angles better duck if they got feathers . Miss you already buddy . Tom Quinn
October 30, 2023

Esther Stierle

So sorry for all who are missing Whip. May your memories bring some comfort to everyone.
October 28, 2023

Ione & Jack O’Connell

Such a beautiful tribute to Whip. He was a truly good man. May he be basking in all of heavens glory and may you all be comforted at this time. We really enjoyed knowing Whip. Jack & Ione O'Connell
October 27, 2023

Shirley Spence

Sending my condolences.🙏🏻💔
October 27, 2023

Trena Thomas

I'm so sorry for your loss Heather and Dawn. Hugs for you both. May your memories bring you comfort knowing he will forever be with you💔💐🙏

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To view the livestream of Sandra Van Schaick (Saturday at 11:00 am) or Glenn Kochendorfer (Monday at 2:00 pm) visit https://www.facebook.com/olivers.funeral.home/

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