Corporal Funes was a decorated veteran of World War II. In Korea, he was a machine gunner in Company G, 2nd Battalion, 187th Airborne Infantry Regimental Combat Team. On 12 February 1951, near Hoengsong, South Korea, he covered the withdrawal of other units, while under heavy fire from the enemy. He was killed near Wonju, South Korea, on 14 February 1951.

For his leadership and valor, Corporal Funes was awarded the Silver Star Medal, the Purple Heart with two Oak Leaf Clusters, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation, the Republic of Korea War Service Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.