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Norris Clark Funk, a son of Esau and Dicy Funk, was born October 10, 1853, near Exeter, Scott county, Illinois and lived there all his life, excepting eleven years that he lived on a farm near Chapin, where he farmed in summer and taught school in winter. He taught school for twenty consecutive years and made it his life work. He loved his pupils and won their love and esteem by his patience and tenderness toward them. He was united in marriage to Miss Elma Berry, February 27, 1879. She died May 12, 1882, leaving one son, Montie, to cheer the lonely grief stricken husband. October 8, 1884, Mr. Funk was again married to Ada F. Holliday, daughter of C. L. and M. P. Holliday of Chapin, Illinois, and for six years they lived with Mr. Funk's mother, who was a widow. Mrs. Funk died in February, 1890, when Mr. Funk moved to Morgan with his family to keep house for Mr. Holliday, as Mrs. Holliday died in July, 1890. The remainder of his life was spent at this place where he made many warm friends. He was one of the few, of whom it can truthfully be said, "none knew him but to love him; none named him but to praise." He was a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal church, and a democrat in politics.

In December, 1901, Mr. Funk was taken very ill and had a complication of diseases -= lagrippe, neuralgia, tonsilitis and scarlet fever, which were more than his frail body could bear and on January 10, 1902, he bade a sad farewell to his loving wife and three children, Montie, Otto and Io, and went home to the Master, and the home prepared for the faithful in Christ. He was an exemplary christian had a smile and kind word for everybody and was ever ready and willing to do all in his power to help his fellow-man. He had natural talent for music and was leader of the Exeter Cornet Band for twenty years. Was a member of the M.W.A. and A.H.T.A. at the time of his death. There are but three of his brothers and sisters living, of which there were eight, viz: Mrs. Mary Black of Exeter; H. F. Funk of Blackwell, Oklahoma; H. C. Funk of Pana, Illinois, - Lewis, Fannie, Joseph, Madison, Martha having preceded Clark to the Glory Shore and were watching and waiting for him.

His sorrowing companion and the three orphan children are still on the farm and the two boys attend Chapin high school from which Montie, the oldest, will graduate in May, 1903, Otto taking first year course. Little Io is attending school at Hazel Dell.

Mr. Funk, after he finished his course in the district school, attended the Winchester high school and after that took teachers' course at Normal, Illinois. He had the satisfaction and pleasure of knowing that his three children had accepted Christ as their Master and were willing to obey Him, for Montie was a member of the Christian church, and Otto and Io were converted at a Methodist revival shortly before Mr. Funk died.