J. A. Funk brings almost 50 years’ experience to hometown funeral home

Funeral Home

John Allan Funk, owner of J. A. Funk Funeral Home, has nothing but kind words to say about his hometown.

Funk was born and raised in Malvern. He still lives in the home to which he was brought after his birth, and in which he grew up with his three older brothers.

Because of his love for Malvern, he has never lived too far away.

He always had the goal of owning his own business in Malvern, and for the past 22 years, he has been living that dream.

Funk said he knew he wanted to be a funeral director since he was a child. “God led me to where I am today,” he said.

After graduating Malvern High School in 1973, he furthered his education and work experience, attending Dallas Institute of Mortuary Science, working for funeral homes in Benton, Little Rock, and Pine Bluff for a combined 20 years, and ultimately returned to his hometown in 1996.

Looking to have a funeral home of his own, in 2000 he bought the building that originally housed the Massengill Mortuary, where his father had worked taking care of families, and where he, as a ten-year old child, made up his mind to become a professional funeral director.

In total, he has dedicated nearly 50 years to his chosen profession. He said he couldn’t imagine doing anything else with his life, adding that his time owning the business has gone by quickly.

The staff includes Charlie, IV, the third poodle pup in the business’s history, who helps to comfort the clientele. The families who place their trust in J. A. Funk Funeral Home during their most difficult times come away knowing they have been cared for in the best possible way. One of the values of a funeral is that it enables people to come together - families and friends - to share in the loss of someone they all loved, and to celebrate that person’s life.

The friendships that are formed during the grief process are friendships that endure, and Funk is grateful to be able to cultivate and maintain those relationships.

“It is a blessing to be in my hometown and working with the folks that have helped me become who I am: a person dedicated to serving others.”