Marine Lance Cpl. Kane Funke left this world just as he came into it, according to his uncle.

Fighting.

Kane Funke, 20, of Kalispell died during combat in Iraq on Aug. 13.

Eric Funke gave the eulogy for his nephew Friday during a funeral Mass at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Polson.

"He was born two pounds, six ounces," Funke said. Given a 10 percent chance of survival, his nephew was "so hyperactive, he ran around the house on tippy toes" by the age of three.

Funke said Kane had known he wanted to be a Marine since he was 8 years old. Soon thereafter he began playing the part, asking his uncle for some of his old uniforms.

Larry Dramer, a family friend, said that since World War I, the men in the Funke family collectively have served more than 100 years in the armed forces.

Sometimes the boy would startle people at night.

"He'd hang out in neighbors' yards in Kalispell, all cammied up," Eric Funke said. By joining the Marines last fall and leaving for Iraq in February, Kane was "living his dream."

A crowd filled the church to capacity.

As Funke's flag-draped coffin stood alone in front of the altar, the Rev. Gary Reller read from 2 Maccabees, a book in the Old Testament which speaks about the fraternity that exists among people who serve in the military.

"It's a great sign and gesture for the military to be here to give honor to a fallen brother," Reller said. "It's a great testimony to our brother Kane that so many came today."

Reller acknowledged that those gathered could only wonder what the young man might have become, but spoke of the Bible's call to have faith in spite of such a loss.

Simeon Parent, 19, a seaman with the U.S. Coast Guard and Kane's best friend, came from his base in Alaska. He embraced Kane's mother, Stephanie Funke, and sister Ashley Johnston as they followed the coffin out of the church.

Gov. Judy Martz attended along with two National Guard generals from Helena.

Befitting a funeral with full military honors, a six-member Marine honor guard acted as pallbearers. They were accompanied by the Flathead Reservation Veteran Warrior Society and assorted local law enforcement agencies.

Kane Funke was laid to rest in the military section of Polson's Lakeview Cemetery, a section surrounded by U.S. flags. Flapping in the breeze, they sounded like water lapping on the shore of Flathead Lake to the east.

As the funeral procession gathered around the casket, the governor and two generals circled overhead in a National Guard helicopter.

Before the crowd dispersed for a reception at the church, a Navy bugler played "Taps" and an Air Force serviceman played "Amazing Grace" on the bagpipes.

Parent said goodbye to his fallen friend one last time, embracing the coffin before joining family and friends.

Reporter John Blodgett may be reached at 758-4421 or by e-mail at jblodgett@dailyinterlake.com