OBIT: Elsie M. Funk, 1913, York County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Kathy Francis

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MISS FUNK A SUICIDE

Loss of Chum at Sheppard and Pratt Hospital the Cause.

That his daughter, Miss Elsie Funk, took her own life while mentally depressed, 
was the sad fact revealed to Henry Funk, of this place, who left for Baltimore 
Wednesday morning, after the receipt of a telegram announcing her sudden death 
at the Sheppard & Pratt hospital, near Towson.

Of the tragedy, the Baltimore Sun of today says:

“Worry over the fact that her roommate of several years was to leave her, Miss 
Elsie M. Funk, a graduate nurse at the Sheppard and Enoch Pratt hospital, near 
Towson, committed suicide late Tuesday night by hanging herself in her room at 
the hospital.

“During her stay at the hospital, while studying to become trained nurses and 
after their graduation, Miss Funk and Miss Margaret Postles had been close 
friends and roommates.  Several months ago Miss Postles told Miss Funk that she 
expected to get a position in the West.

“Miss Funk became depressed and begged Miss Postles to remain at the hospital.  
As time went on the expected departure was brought up in their conversations and 
toward the last Miss Funk had threatened to take her life should her roommate 
leave her.  There was talk of Miss Funk also leaving, but she said she did not 
see how she could get away.

“The climax came one week ago when Miss Postles informed Miss Funk that she had 
definitely decided to leave for the West, and the latter worried over it as the 
days passed.  Several times she had spoken of ending her life, but it was not 
taken seriously.

“To add to her grief over her chum’s suicide, it fell to the lot of Miss Postles 
to discover Miss Funk’s lifeless body in their room.  It was about 12 o’clock 
when Miss Postles went to her apartment, and on opening the door something fell 
against it.  Pushing her way into the room she found the limp form of Miss Funk 
lying on the floor and a bathrobe cord around her neck.

“Giving immediate alarm, Drs. Wolff, Asper and Sargent, of the hospital staff, 
were soon by the side of Miss Funk trying to restore her, but it was found that 
she had been dead for several minutes.

“Miss Funk ended her life by throwing the knotted ends of the bathrobe cord over 
the door with the ends outside, and by placing a chair against the door as she 
closed it stood on it and placed her head in the loop.  She then kicked the 
chair from under her.  As Miss Postles opened the door the cord was released and 
the body fell to the floor.

“Miss Postles was prostrated by the shock and was still in a weakened condition 
yesterday.

“Justice John T. Hopkins, of Towson, was called to the hospital early yesterday 
morning and after hearing the statements of Miss Postles, the physicians and Dr. 
Claud Smink, health officer of the Ninth District, decided that an inquest was 
unnecessary and gave a certificate of death from suicide.

“Miss Funk was 23 years old and was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Funk, of 
Hanover, Pa.  Miss Postles is from Dover, Del.  The body of Miss Funk was 
removed to the city yesterday, and after being prepared for burial, will be 
taken to Hanover.”

The deceased was a young lady of excellent qualities, and had many friends who 
will regret her untimely and tragic death.  She was a former pupil of the High 
school before going to Sheppard & Pratt to take up nursing as a profession.

The remains were brought to Hanover at 9:25 o’clock today, over the W. M. R. R., 
and taken to the home of her father, No. 208 Ruth avenue.

Funeral Friday afternoon, services at the house, at 2 p.m., Rev. A. M. Heilman, 
of St. Matthew’s Lutheran church, officiating.  Interment in Mt. Olivet 
cemetery.

The Hanover Herald – Saturday, June 14 1913