Barbara Ann Funnell, age 70, a Manitowoc resident, passed away on Monday, April 17, 2017 at River's Bend Health & Rehabilitation Center, Manitowoc. Barb was born in Reedsburg, Wisconsin, on February 6, 1947 to Toby and Helen (Bell) Funnell. In 1952, the family moved to La Farge, Wisconsin. She attended the La Farge Public Schools and graduated in 1965. She then attended the University of Wisconsin - La Crosse and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Elementary Education in 1969. In 1977, she returned to La Crosse and received a Masters of Education degree in Teaching.Her first and only teaching position was in the Manitowoc Public Schools as a kindergarten teacher. She found great joy in working with these young people. She often talked about the many handprints, the painting smocks, and the circuses that she and the kids rehearsed and performed for their families.She was a member of Lakeshore United Methodist Church, and through the years, she participated in several choirs, and other activities such as the church's Bible Study, and the United Methodist Women's group. She always felt blessed to have found that congregation.One of the greatest joys of her life was serving as a volunteer at Holy Family Memorial Medical Center. Over the years, she was honored many times for her dedication to the program. When she began slowly to retire from the program, she had reached 21,000 hours of service, more than any other volunteer had achieved. She will be recognized at their Spring Volunteer Banquet on April 25, 2017. Her entire life, she was the ultimate sports enthusiast. She enjoyed bowling with the teachers, and did some coaching in the elementary schools. But, most of her energy was spent on supporting her Milwaukee Brewers. On rare occasions, she would tune in a Green Bay Packers Game.Barb is survived by her cousins: Frank Lynn (Carol) Bell of Salem, Wisconsin, Richard (Millie) Bell of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and the twins: Susan and Virginia Bell of Wonewoc, Wisconsin. Other relatives and many friends also survive her.She was preceded in death by her parents: Morris (Toby) and Helen (Bell) Funnell; and one brother: James Lee Funnell.Funeral Services to honor her life will be held at Lakeshore United Methodist Church, Manitowoc, on Wednesday, April 26, 2017 at 1:00 p.m. Officiating at the Service will be Pastor Carly Kuntz with burial at Oak Lawn Cemetery in La Valle, Wisconsin, at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 27, 2017.

Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter Apr 20 2017