Ruella Funner

Ruella (Travis) Funner, 102, passed Thursday, August 17, 2023, at The Brethren Home Community.  She was the wife of the late Samuel H. Funner, who passed October 14, 2021.

Ruella was born August 7, 1921, in Brooklyn, NY, the daughter of the late Harold and Melissa (Mitchell) Travis.

Ruella was a member of First United Methodist Church in Hanover, and Poet’s Corner at The Brethren Home Community.  Mom (Grandma, Oma, Ruella or Rue) has had a remarkable journey of bloom.  Young and beautiful, she was filmed for local advertising in her hometown of Katonah, NY when she was in her late teens.  She has a singing voice that allowed her to be a part of the Saint Cecelia Society, Schola Cantorum Choir of the Philharmonic in New York City, and she sang solo and in groups for most of her life.  At the age of 66, she stepped forward to take on the lead role in the opera Dido and Aeneas when she lived in Mendocino County, CA.  Needless to say, she amazed us all with her gift.  She continued to sing well into her 80’s. 

Ruella is survived by two daughters, Ruella M. Barnes and her husband John of Elkridge, MD and Martha E. Travis of Corinth, VT, her step children, Pamela Maness, Judy Rice and Daniel Funner, three grandchildren, and six great grandchildren.  She was predeceased by a brother, Harold M. Travis.

Funeral services will be private.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Good Samaritan Fund of The Brethren Home Community, 2990 Carlisle Pike, New Oxford, PA 17350.  Feiser Funeral Home, Inc, 302 Lincoln Way West, New Oxford, is in charge of arrangements.  Memories may be shared at www.feiserfuneralhome.com. 

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