Robert 'Bob' Leland Funke, 78

Robert (Bob) Funke, 78, of Dalton Gardens, Idaho, passed away peacefully with his family by his side May 24, 2020. He was born in Cottonwood, Idaho, on June 27, 1942, to Eugene and Cleo (Powers) Funke. 

Bob was the oldest of five children and had a very close relationship with his dad, Gene. It was from working closely alongside his dad on the Kamiah and Benewah Ranches, that Bob learned his strong work ethic, character and respect for others. Bob’s family moved from the Benewah Ranch into St. Maries when Bob was a young teenager. Bob was an amazing trumpet player; he was the featured musician in the school band and was highly praised for his talents in playing “Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White” and was well known for often playing “Taps” from the hilltop for the service men and women who were laid to rest below at the cemetery.

Bob also enjoyed riding horses with his best friend, Dale Yarber, hanging out with his friends and driving them in his well-loved car “Liz” Model-A. Every day after school, Bob would work hard in his parents' Tire Shop, the St. Maries Mobile Service Station, repairing the local logging truck’s tires and servicing the machines from the Plywood Mill.  

Bob graduated from St. Maries High School and married the love of his life, Linda Stiles in June of 1964. Married now with a family on the way, Bob left his family’s tire shop and started logging (rumor has it, his dad hired two extra men at the tire shop to replace Bob). Bob started his lifelong logging career in his early 20s working for Carl Nordstrom and later with Gus and Coney Roth whom he held in highest admiration. Later, Bob purchased his first loader, and he was off and running with his logging career, his brother Dennis joined him and they owned and operated Funke Brothers Logging for years, and although opposites, they were quite the team! Bob eventually scaled down to his own Bob Funke Logging business where he operated his crane and drove truck for years. He eventually retired out of the woods to spend more time with his wife, Linda. Bob and Linda had a strong loving relationship. They both worked hard at their jobs to support one another and raise their two children, Cindy and Randy. Bob and Linda lived in Dalton Gardens from 1965 to 2019.

Once retired from the woods, Bob took backup to horse riding and joined the Panhandle Back Country Horsemen Group. With this group, he was a board member, maintained the saws and related equipment, was part of many fun rides and enjoyed clearing trails with his chainsaw for others to enjoy. He enjoyed horse riding with his younger sister Debbi Funke and many friends. Bob was a wonderful and loyal husband, dad, brother and respected friend to many. He was the hardest working man and role model his children ever knew, he will be sadly missed and fondly remembered.

Survivors include his daughter, Cindy (Mike) Knowles; son, Randy (Shelly) Funke; brother, Marice Funke; sisters, Debbi and Marcelle Funke; grandchildren: Leland Funke, Nicholas, and Emily Knowles. 

A dual service for both Bob and Linda will be held at 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 4, 2023, at St. Pius Catholic Church (625 E. Haycraft Ave. Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815). 

Please visit Bob’s memorial and sign his online guestbook at www.yatesfuneralhomes.com.