Buller, Funk to be inducted to Arts Hall of Fame

Burton Buller (g’68) and Curtis Funk (g’65) will be honored and recognized as the Tabor College Arts Hall of Fame’s newest members on Saturday, Sept. 7. The induction ceremony will be held at 7:30 p.m. in the Richert Auditorium of the Shari Flaming Center for the Arts.

The Tabor College Arts Hall of Fame gives recognition to Alumni and Former Faculty who have excelled and contributed in extraordinary ways in their field of Music, Theatre, or Art and have exemplified the mission of Tabor College – preparing people for a life of learning, work, and service for Christ and His kingdom.

About Burton Buller:

Buller began working for Mennonite Brethren Communications, then Mennonite Media with the Mennonite Central Committee. He completed his M.A. from the University of Nebraska in 1995. His career involves creating films for educational, governmental, and faith-based clients. He is the managing partner with Buller Films LLC, a family-owned production agency producing documentaries for broadcast. His work in media has stretched worldwide, spanning over 20 countries. His resume includes nearly 70 films shown on network television, including ABC, NBC, and Hallmark. Buller is married to Mary (Hutcherson g’68).

About Curtis Funk:

Funk was a career music educator, spending 40 years as a collegiate professor. After spending one year at Bowness High School in Alberta, Canada, he and his family moved to Fresno, Calif., to join the music faculty at Fresno Pacific University (1968-84). He took a brief leave of absence in 1976 to complete his Ph.D. at the University of Indiana. Before FPU, he received an M.M.E. from North Texas State University in 1967. He later moved to teach at Wheaton College (1984-2007) in Wheaton, Illinois. While he personally did not refer to himself as a composer, Funk wrote music for children and professional development workshops. He served as choir director at three churches, including Butler Mennonite Brethren Church in Fresno, Lombard Mennonite Church in Lombard, Ill., and Grey Inter-Mennonite Fellowship in Vancouver, British Columbia. Funk passed away at age 77 on Sept. 17, 2020, in Vancouver, British Columbia, and is survived by his wife Lois (Lepp g’65).

** This writing included work and research conducted by Peggy Goertzen, director of the Center of Mennonite Brethren Studies at Tabor College.

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