Marcia Ann (Allen) Funk, 82, of South Bend, IN, formally of Niles, Mich., passed away on Saturday, September 11, 2010 in Providence House.

Marcia was born December 12, 1927, in Battle Creek, Mich., to the late Wilfred Allen and Anna (Riley) Allen.

Marcia graduated from Battle Creek Central High School and Western Michigan University with a degree in elementary education. She briefly taught school in Battle Creek and Niles. On September 29, 1950 she married William V. Funk in a ceremony at the First Presbyterian Church in Niles. They were married 54 years and Bill preceded her in death in 2005.

She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church where she sang in the Sanctuary Choir for many years.  Marcia loved music and played the piano her entire life. During World War II she entertained the troops at a local USO club in Battle Creek with her repertoire of sing along songs.  She was a volunteer and friend of Fernwood Botanical Garden and a member of the Niles Service League.  In addition to music, Marcia also loved to cook, garden, and entertain family and friends.  She and Bill enjoyed several wonderful trips to Europe and spending a few months each winter in Sarasota, Fla.

Surviving Marcia are her son Laurence (Barbara) Funk of Niles; her daughter Susan (John) Cleaver of Mishawaka; three grandchildren William Casey Cleaver and John Riley Cleaver of Bloomington, Ind., and Alec (Heather) Hosterman of Mishawaka; nieces, Lynn (Noel) Smolenyak of Charlevoix, Mich., and Ann (Randy) Schutt of Holland, and nephews Robert (Katie) Price of Trout Valley, Ill., and Thomas Zerr of Henderson, Nev.  She was preceded in death by her parents, her sister, Sally Zerr, and her first husband, Jack Marcusse.

A memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, September 18 in First Presbyterian Church (Niles, Mich.) with Pastor Fran Lane-Lawrence officiating.  The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service in the chapel of the church.  A private inurnment will take place in the First Presbyterian Church Columbarium immediately after the service.

Those wishing to make a donation in Marcia’s name may do so to the Alzheimer’s Association, P.O. Box 96011, Washington, D.C. 20090; or to the Foundation of the First Presbyterian Church, 13 South 4th Street, Niles, MI 49120.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Services.