New-York tribune., 1912-04-05
DR.. l. K. FUNK DEAD
Attack of Heart Disease Fatal
After Short Illness.
NOTED EDITOR AND AUTHOR
Investigated and Wrote Much on
Spirit Manifestations-De-
nounced Mediums.

Montciair. n J., April (SpecisD.-Dr.
Isaac Kaufman Funk. author. editor anu
publisher. died at his home here this morn
ing from an attack OF heart disease folio"
ing illness from acute indigestion, VII"
which he was stricken on March 10. Al
first his condition was not alarming anu
one dav last week he took an automooiie
ride This appeared TO tax his strength
and he again was confined TO his bed his
health improved, however and early tiiIS
morning, when visited by his physician Ut
Herbert w. Foster ms condition was ex-
ceent A short time after tha physician
left the house. however he was fatally
stricken.
Up 20 the time ~ his death Or. Funk re-
tanned his membership in the Brooklyn
church OF which he was formerly pastor,
and had a pew in the First Congregational
Church OF Montclair. He leaves one daugh-
ter, Mrs. Robert Scott, and one son, Wllfred
J. Funk, both Of MontcIsir. The funeral
will be at the First Congregational Church
here on Monday and the burial will be in
Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn.
Or Funk was one Of that company Of
serious minded and broadly educated men
who, in this matter-of-fact age, imbued
with what Professor James called the will
N believe" made a careful investigation
OF the subject OF spirit manifestations. And
he became a sincere believer. TIE contro-
versies into which he entered attracted
wide attention.
Several years ago he asserted that he
had seen the spirit OF Henry Ward
Beecher. In 1908 he added greatly 10 his
reputation among spiritualists. A rare
coin, lost by It's owner, was returned
through the agency, as Dr. Funk declared
Of Mr.. Beechers spirit. The proofs" OF
this test were submitted by him 10 a large
! number OF scientists. professors and clergy
men, and most Of them gave Dr. Funk the
credit NJ being honest in his belief, what
ever might be the true explanation OF the
phenomenon.
In his book The Psychic Riddle" he
gives a complete account OF his investiga-
ttons. He believed that niuc-tenths OF the
mediums were frauds, but that with these
eliminated there remained phenomena that
could not be explained ON any basis but
actual spirit manifestations
pr. Funk began his career as publisher
IN 1876, wnen, with A W Wagnalls, a
ciassmate in Wttenberg College, he
founded the Funk & Wagnalls Company
lie had some previous experience as asso-
ciatc editor Of THE Christian Radical"
His first publication was the magazine now
known as The Homiletic Review" which
he started I'm 1875. In 1880 he founded
"Thc Voice, a Prohibition organ. "The
Missionary Review" followed I'm 1888 and
TIE Literary Digest" in 1889. One of Dr.
Funk's most notable achievements was the
editing and publishing Of The Standard
Dictionary"
His company was the publisher for Ed
ward Everett Hale, T. De Witt Talmage.
LYMAN Abbott, Joaquin Miller, Josiah
Aliens Wife Canon Lidden. Frances E.
Willard. Julian Hawthorne, Bishop Vincent
and others. Dr. Funk's own writings were
LlostIy concerned with psychic phe-
nomena.
He was Of Holland-sw stock, born IN
0hio in 1899 He prepared FOR the Luth-
eran ministry and preached FOR a few years
before going into the publication business
He was twice married, first 20 Miss Eliza
Thompson in 1864, and the second time 20
Miss Helen g. Thompson, sister Of his first
wife. The second Mrs. Funk died wear
ago