L. Vernice Funk

Vernice was born in Silerton, Tennessee on February 24, 1941 to Roy Franklin and Ermer Lee (Ivy) Clayton. She was the middle daughter with two brothers, Ralph Edward (late Grace) Clayton Sr. of Alabama and Russell Vernon (Joyce) Clayton of Tennessee. She was named Lettie after her maternal grandmother who passed at a young age.

She married Robert ”Bob” Funk on May 1, 1992 in Pekin and he survives. She is also survived by her daughters, Valerie Johnston and Sheri (James) Robison; three bonus sons, Bobby (Amy) Funk, Steve (Terri) Funk and Greg (Terri) Funk; four grandchildren; Andrea (Randy) Drake, Nicole Antovoni, Timothy Johnston and David Robison, eight great-grandchildren, Dylan, Hudson, Oliver, Gianna, Dino, Enzo, Axel and Aubrie; seven bonus grandchildren; four bonus great-grandchildren; two brothers, Ralph Edward Clayton, Sr. and Russell Vernon Clayton; a sister-in-law; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family whom she dearly loved.

She was preceded in death by her parents, son, Ward Clayton Mayberry, sister-in-law, Grace Clayton, and nephew Danny Clayton.

Vernice grew up near Henderson, Tennessee, where she helped on the family farm and played women’s high school basketball. She moved to Illinois after high school, and became a licensed cosmetologist working as a beautician. Vernice opened her own hair salon, Kut-n-Kurl Korner, in Pekin which was a very busy and thriving business for several years. During the time she owned the salon she was the Vice President of the Southside Business Association.

Vernice was a very creative and an accomplished seamstress sewing wedding dresses and clothes for family and friends. She loved to garden, cook and learn new arts and crafts. She made beautiful handcrafted greeting cards and enjoyed scrapbooking. She was very competitive and enjoyed participating in various sport activities including volleyball and tennis. She loved to golf and carried a handicap of 12. She was very proud of her Hole in One Trophy.

Vernice dedicated her life to the Lord at a young age and her faith gave her hope for the future and helped her endure the trials of life. She loved singing and listening to music. She was a good mother, grandmother and wife. She had a lot of dear close friends.

After retirement, Vernice and Bob spent many winters in Florida where they enjoyed the sunshine, playing lots of golf and making many lifetime friends.

Her funeral will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday, October 9, 2024 at Preston Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Pastor Daniel J. Bishop will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service. Burial will follow the service at Glendale Memorial Gardens in Pekin, Illinois.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in remembrance of Vernice may be made to St. John’s Lutheran Church, 711 Court Street, Pekin, IL 61554 or to Carle Health Pekin Hospital League, 600 South 13th Street, Pekin, IL 61554.

The family would like to thank the Villas of Hollybrook and the Carle Health Pekin Hospital Staff for all their kind and compassionate care given Vernice and her family.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com

Finally ~ I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38