George was born on December 5, 1933, in Peoria, Illinois, the son of A. Marie (Blythe) Funk and George H. Funk. He graduated in 1952 from Manual High School in Peoria. While in high school, he played football, baseball and basketball. George earned a scholarship to play basketball at Drake University in Des Moines, IA, and played there from 1952-1956. In 2006, he was named to the Drake Basketball All Decade Team. While at Drake, George was also a member of the Air Force ROTC. After graduation, he served in the Air Force as a radar technician. He would say the best part of college was that it is where he met his wife, Phyllis Diane Thomas. They were married on June 9, 1956, one week after they graduated from Drake. George began his teaching and coaching career in Ida Grove and Knoxville, IA, before going to Marshalltown High School. There he served as Head Boys Basketball coach for 26 years. He retired from coaching in 1989, but retained his position as Athletic Director until his retirement in 1998. When George and Phyllis moved to Marshalltown in 1963, George became a Bobcat for life as he never lost his passion for Bobcat athletics and for the Marshalltown community. George was an avid Cubs fan, he enjoyed gardening and fishing and he especially enjoyed spending time with his family. Family vacations were always special.

George is survived by his wife Phyllis, of Marshalltown; three children: Diane (Earl Gingerich) Funk, of Iowa City, Lori (Steve) Mitts, of Olathe, KS, Mark (Tim) Funk Meyer, of Minneapolis, MN; seven grandchildren: Ethan Gingerich, Aliese Gingerich, Ben (Nina Luo) Mitts, Alex (Roxanne) Mitts, Andres Meyer, Pablo Meyer, Rudy Meyer and his brother, Robert (Bill Weber) Funk, of Charleston, IL.