The search in the Shenandoah National Park for Earl F. Funk, described by his family as a tough woodsmen, turned up a machete but no other sign of the ginseng hunter missing since Sept. 29.

The machete, found Wednesday, could have been used by Funk to hack his way through underbrush. The area of the park where Funk is lost -- its southern section near Cedar Mountain -- is rugged.

Funk's family, in a statement released yesterday, described the 49-year-old Staunton-area man as an outdoorsman and a survivor.

"If there is anyone who could survive in this territory, it would be Earl," said the statement, released by Funk's cousin, Robyn Davis Sekula, of Indiana. Funk is described as a "friend, son and brother'' who is a "woodsman at heart.''

"He was digging up ginseng when he disappeared, and as part of that, he would regularly dig up the plant by the roots and place seeds in the hole it left, patting it down, so another plant would grow there," the statement read. "He did everything he could not to disturb the land, and that's part of what has made the search so difficult."

Searchers found Funk's cigarettes, a hat and a digging tool Tuesday night. Park spokeswoman Karen Beck-Herzog said yesterday that searchers on Tuesday also found a boot and keys believed to belong to Funk.

He has been missing since Sept. 29, when he rode an all-terrain vehicle into private land adjacent to the park. Funk and a friend were ginseng hunting when he became lost.

Hundreds of searchers and dog teams launched their initial search from the spot where the ATV was found but have had no luck finding Funk. About 40 people were searching for Funk yesterday. No deadline has been set to end the search.

"We are incredibly impressed with the tenacity and spirit of those searching," the family said in the statement. The family also asked for prayers and privacy.

Funk is described as a white male with brown hair and green eyes; 5 feet, 8 inches tall; and weighing about 145 pounds.

Anyone with any information is asked to call (800) 732-0911.
Contact Carlos Santos at (434) 295-9542 or csantos@timesdispatch.com.