On Friday, August 23rd, Ronald D Funk, 79, of Gordonville passed away peacefully. Ron was born in Bloomsburg, PA, the son of Howard and Madalyn Funk.  He graduated from Central Columbia High School and earned a BA in Education from Bloomsburg University.  As a young man living in Bloomsburg, Ron was an auctioneer apprentice with Lloyd Force and worked as an auctioneer with John Autotore.

In 1968 Ron relocated to Lancaster County to teach at Pequea Valley Intermediate School, where he also served as their PA Hunting Safety Instructor, and retired after 32 years of service. In addition, Ron partnered with Gordon Ressler and formed Funk/Ressler Auctioneers of Paradise. For over 25 years Ron conducted residential and commercial auctions, including benefit auctions to raise funds for fire companies, schools, and charitable organizations.  Ron attended the yearly PAA State Convention of auctioneers and served as the PAA President in 1986,  State Director for the Southeast Region, and was inducted to the PAA Hall of Fame in 2009.

When visiting Ron's home on a hill in Paradise you never knew what his next "great find" might be (jeeps, taxidermy, bathtubs), but he had a particular interest in military vehicles and Willy Jeeps, at one point owning 38 jeeps.

Ron always enjoyed meeting and talking with people.  He was a member of Sertoma and was the 1998 "Sertoman of the Year."  He was  a member of the Leacock Presbyterian Church, the Willy's Jeep Club, the Military Vehicle Association, and the Paradise Sportsman Association.

Ron is survived by his wife, Susan Hable, with whom he celebrated 50 years of marriage in June, his sons Glenn (Carol) Smith, Todd (Valerie) Smith both of Evansville, IN, Stephen (Jayme) of Paradise, Michael (Megan) of Exton, grandchildren, Jenna & Micah Smith, Randie (Vinnie) Pizzi, Tess (Andrew) Miller, Emily Keelor, Rachel & Erik Smith,  Mason & Austin Funk, Ryder Funk and 5 great grandchildren, Oliver, Cash & Drew Miller, Jaxon & Raegan Pizzi his sister Janet (John) Flick of Bloomsburg and nieces and nephews Julie (Sean) Piper & Pierce Malloy and Paul Flick.

A service celebrating Ron's life will be held on Saturday, September 7th at 11:00 AM at Leacock Presbyterian Church Paradise.   In lieu of flowers the family ask that memorial contributions be given in Ron's name to Hospice & Community Care, PO Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17601 or the Paradise Sportsman Association 327 S Belmont Road, Paradise, PA 17562.