Word has been received of the death of Thelma Funderburg, mother of former Grace Brethren pastor, Mick Funderburg, and Judy Ostrander, wife of former Grace Brethren pastor, Mike Ostrander. Her obituary appears below. Click here for more information or to send condolences.
On November 8, 2016 Thelma Blanche (Ball) Funderburg 100, of Niles, Mich., passed peacefully into the arms of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, whom she had trusted for the forgiveness of her sins and the gift of Eternal Life.
She was born to Ephraim Alvin (E.A.) and Lula Ellen (Shipley) Ball on September 5, 1916, in Ozark, Mich. She was married to Earl Funderburg on September 5, 1935.
Thelma served alongside Earl as a faithful pastor’s wife and Child Evangelism director. She had a servant’s heart and took great delight in providing their frequent guests with delicious meals and a place to spend the night. She was faithful in reading God’s Word and her beautiful smile and cheerful personality were a blessing to all who knew her. She loved flowers, gardening, and watching birds and animals from her windows.
She was preceded in death by her husband, to whom she was happily married for forty-five years, her parents, her siblings: Clyde Ball, Mabel Pechta, Mildred Wells, Edith Sherman Steffen, and Alvin Ball, two grandchildren: James and Faith Funderburg, and one great-grandchild, Madison Weber.
She is survived by one sister Gladys Malette, children: Wayne (Gay) Funderburg, Michael (Nancy) Funderburg, Judy (Mike) Ostrander, Dan (Beth) Funderburg, thirteen grandchildren, thirty-five great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.
The family extends a special thank you to all who have shown love and compassion to Thelma and especially to the Lakeland Niles Hospital and the Chalet of Niles for the excellent care of both Thelma and the family.
Friends and family will celebrate her promotion to heaven at the Ozark Grace Brethren Church, 22998 S. Church Rd. (Trout Lake) Moran, Mich., on November 12 with visitation from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. and the celebration of life at 3:00 p.m. Her son, Mick, will officiate. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Ozark Grace Brethren Church or Niles Grace Brethren Church.