Beverly Eileen Funkhouser

Beverly Eileen Funkhouser, age 85, of New Philadelphia passed away peacefully January 28, 2012 in Union Hospital at Dover surrounded by her loving family.Born in Akron, O. on August 23, 1926, she was the daughter of the late Bert and Amanda (Carr) Rader. Beverly graduated in 1944 from Atwater High School, where she greatly enjoyed her participation on the varsity cheerleading squad. She also spent two years furthering her education as an adult at both Mount Union College in Alliance, O., and Parsons College in Fairfield, Iowa.On January 24, 1946, she married the love of her life, the late Robert Lee Funkhouser. Together they celebrated 54 years of marriage before his death on May 8, 2000. Throughout their lifetime together, they lived in Alliance, OH, Fairfield, IA, Kingsford, MI, Sandusky, OH, New Philadelphia and Erie, PA, before ultimately retiring in New Philadelphia. No matter where their journey took them, they were faithful members of the community.She had an undying and unfailing love for her family. Her love for cheerleading in high school continued in a different capacity later in life. She then became her family’s greatest cheerleader, as she dearly loved watching her children, and later, grandchildren play sports. In addition to being a caring homemaker, Beverly was extremely active with the American Field Service, a youth exchange program. She was joined the First Presbyterian Church at New Philadelphia in 1976, where she maintained her membership to this day. Beverly will be deeply missed by her children, Rhonda (companion, Lisa Brass) Funkhouser, of Dover and Rusty (Lisa) Funkhouser, of Carrollton; son-in-law, Terry Hirschauer of Columbus; her brother-in-law, Donald (Beverly) Funkhouser of Alliance; her grandchildren, Calvin (Jessica) Funkhouser, Jessica (Ray) Owens, Amanda (companion, Roy Ayres) Hirschauer, Brandon (companion, Jackie Murphy) Hirschauer, Tori, James, and Elizabeth Funkhouser, and Tyler and Kelsey Brass; her great-grandchildren, Fantasia, Dominic, and Bronsen Owens, and Wesley Hirschauer; numerous nieces and nephews; and her loving dog, Heidi.In addition to her parents and husband, Beverly was preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Randi Hirschauer; her sisters, Dorcas Muzik, Alberta Jurgenson, and Opal Louise Krendick; and two infant brothers.Visitation will be held Thursday, February 2, 2012 in the Linn-Hert-Geib Funeral Home & Crematory at New Philadelphia from 10 to 12 noon. A service celebrating Beverly’s life will begin at noon with The Rev. Mark Behrendt officiating. A meal will be served in the Geib Family Center immediately following the service. Burial will take place later in the afternoon in Beechwood Cemetery at Alliance.Memorial contributions in Beverly’s memory may be directed to either Union Hospital, 659 Boulevard, Dover, O. 44622 or First Presbyterian Church, 217 East High Avenue, New Philadelphia, O. 44663.