God has taken a wonderful man to be with Chris.

This morning I found out that Father Wayne passed away yesterday. Father Wayne had been battling cancer for awhile now and was the priest that was so helpful to me and my family when Chris passed away. He was the one who performed the wonderful mass that we will all remember forever.

Just 3 weeks ago I saw him on the way out of the church after 11am mass. (See my Sunday, Jan. 20'th post)

He smiled and told me that he was praying for my family. He then gave me a very big and sincere embrace. One that I will remember for the rest of my lift. I've lost a new friend. But I know that he and Chris are now together and looking after us now.

Father Wayne Funk

Father Wayne G. Funk, 70, pastor of Saint John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, Frederick, died peacefully Saturday, Feb. 16, 2008 at the Frederick Memorial Hospital.

Born Jan. 6, 1938 in Baltimore, he was a son of Clara I. Lambert Funk, of Catonsville and the late Alfred H. Funk. Father Funk was ordained Dec. 19, 1962 at the Church of Christ the King, Rome, Italy and was first assigned to Saint Agnes Parish in Catonsville. He was later appointed to the faculty of the Pontifical North American Collegein Rome, where he served until returning to Baltimore as Associate Pastor of St. Matthew's Parish. He faithfully served the Parish until his appointment as director of clergy personnel for the Archdiocese of Baltimore. He later returned to Saint Matthew's Parish, where he served as pastor until he assumed the same position with St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, Frederick where he has served for many years.

He is survived by two brothers, Alfred H. Funk Jr. and wife, Seldra and John W. Funk and his faithful friend, Gloria Scherer, all of Baltimore; a nephew, Donald W. Funk and wife, Ann; greatnephew, Paul E. Funk and wife, Jennifer; and great-greatnephew, Samuel C. Funk.

His body will be prayerfully received at 5 p.m., Monday, Feb. 18, at St. John the Evangelist RomanCatholic Church, 118 E. Second St., Frederick, where friends may call until 9 p.m. and where a Wake Service will be offered at 7 p.m. by the Most Rev. W. Francis Malooly, Vicar of Western Maryland for the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

Friends and parishioners are also welcome to vist during a vigil from 1 to 9 p.m., Tuesday, February 19. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 20 from the church, with the Most Rev. Archbishop William D. Borders, as principal celebrant, with commendation by His Excellency Edwin F.O'Brien, Archbishop of the Baltimore Diocese.

Interment will be in SaintJohn's Cemetery, Frederick.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are to be sent to St Matthews Parish, 5401 Loch Raven Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21239; to Cardinal Shenan School, 5407 Loch Raven Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21239; Saint John's Regional Catholic School, 8414 OpossumtownPike, Frederick, MD 21702; or to Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church, 112 E. Second St., Frederick, MD 21701.

Arrangements are by Keeney and Basford Funeral Home, 106 E. Church St., Frederick, and online condolences may be shared wih his family at www.keeneybasford.com.