Peter “P.J.“ Funcke

Peter John Funcke, 63, of Beaver Dam, also known as “P.J.,” died recently at home. P.J. was born in Iowa City, Iowa, to William Edward Funcke, Sr., and Barbara (Buschmeyer) Davis. The family moved to Beaver Dam in 1959. P.J. survived pneumococcal meningitis at 10 months old. In his youth, P.J. was active with the Methodist church, and high school sports, band, chorus and clubs. He graduated from Beaver Dam Senior High School and took classes at the University of Wisconsin at Madison and at Green Bay. P.J. lived in the Beaver Dam area for most of his life. In his early adulthood, he played rugby, fixed up beater cars and motorcycles, enjoyed making and repairing leather goods, and loved to socialize at softball games, parties and bars. He worked various jobs before his health declined, including tending the old Kickapoo gas station, and job coaching at Green Valley Enterprises. P.J. was passionate about reading, particularly science fiction. In later years, he became an avid kite-flying enthusiast. He attended many area kite fly-ins, and loved to teach people how to make and fly kites. P.J. is survived by his father and stepmother, a stepfather, as well as many siblings and nieces and nephews. PJ was preceded in death by his grandparents; his mother; and his brother, Kent Andrew Funcke (1959-1963.) The family will hold a private memorial service. In remembrance of P.J., please support your local library.