1st Sergeant
Alex Funcheon

    Alex Funcheon   
 
Is survived by his parents Bob and Karen Funcheon and his sister, Gloria

Alex  so bravely  Defended Our Country in Iraq .

Kansas City Star -- WICHITA | Before Army Sgt. Alex Funcheon was deployed to Iraq, he went to see his old third-grade teacher.

He posed for pictures in October with Linn Bertog — who now teaches fifth grade — and her Bostic Elementary School students, who had “adopted” him before the school year.

On Tuesday, Bertog had to tell her 25 students that Funcheon, 21, was killed by a roadside bomb on Sunday. She learned of his death from his parents, who live in nearby Bel Aire.

“My heart just bleeds for the family,” said Bertog, whose class did not meet Monday because school was not in session.

Funcheon was a hero to her students, Bertog said, and the class’ relationship with him helped connect them to world events.

E-mailing Funcheon was a prized perk, given to those who helped out or performed well in class. The students sent him several care packages in the Middle East and had planned to send another this month.

Now, Bertog said, the students must deal with his death.

“The war is real,” she said.

Funcheon last e-mailed his parents about a week ago, writing that he was looking forward to some R&R time in Germany.

“He ended with, ‘I’ll be home before you know it,’ ” said his mother, Karen Funcheon.

Alex Funcheon, who enlisted in 2004, had a a positive attitude about serving in Iraq.

“He never got down, and he knew that he was doing a good job,” his mother said. “He knew what was expected of him, and he was going to do it.”

After his military obligations were over, he planned to go to college and become a firefighter.

“He was starting to figure out what he wanted to do,” said his father, Bob Funcheon. “And that’s the sad part of this, is the life that (he) will never live out.”

I went to a church service in the summer of 2008 that Bob Funcheon (Alex's father) spoke at in a tribute to his son. This entire service was dedicated to his son. Let me tell you that this was the most touching an memorable speeches that I have ever witnessed. There was more tears in the eyes of the people that attended this service than I had ever seen. Bob you paid a price none of us would ever wish to pay. I am sure your son witnessed every word you spoke that morning. I am sure Alex  was so proud of you for doing such a fine tribute to him. I know that I was. GARY FLECK

Kansas City Star -- WICHITA | Before Army Sgt. Alex Funcheon was deployed to Iraq, he went to see his old third-grade teacher.

He posed for pictures in October with Linn Bertog — who now teaches fifth grade — and her Bostic Elementary School students, who had “adopted” him before the school year.

On Tuesday, Bertog had to tell her 25 students that Funcheon, 21, was killed by a roadside bomb on Sunday. She learned of his death from his parents, who live in nearby Bel Aire.

“My heart just bleeds for the family,” said Bertog, whose class did not meet Monday because school was not in session.

Funcheon was a hero to her students, Bertog said, and the class’ relationship with him helped connect them to world events.

E-mailing Funcheon was a prized perk, given to those who helped out or performed well in class. The students sent him several care packages in the Middle East and had planned to send another this month.

Now, Bertog said, the students must deal with his death.

“The war is real,” she said.

Funcheon last e-mailed his parents about a week ago, writing that he was looking forward to some R&R time in Germany.

“He ended with, ‘I’ll be home before you know it,’ ” said his mother, Karen Funcheon.

Alex Funcheon, who enlisted in 2004, had a a positive attitude about serving in Iraq.

“He never got down, and he knew that he was doing a good job,” his mother said. “He knew what was expected of him, and he was going to do it.”

After his military obligations were over, he planned to go to college and become a firefighter.

“He was starting to figure out what he wanted to do,” said his father, Bob Funcheon. “And that’s the sad part of this, is the life that (he) will never live out.”

I went to a church service in the summer of 2008 that Bob Funcheon (Alex's father) spoke at in a tribute to his son. This entire service was dedicated to his son. Let me tell you that this was the most touching an memorable speeches that I have ever witnessed. There was more tears in the eyes of the people that attended this service than I had ever seen. Bob you paid a price none of us would ever wish to pay. I am sure your son witnessed every word you spoke that morning. I am sure Alex  was so proud of you for doing such a fine tribute to him. I know that I was. GARY FLECK