A Pennsylvania town is grieving the loss of a teenage athlete who died too soon after what started as an exciting victory on the pitch turned into sadness by morning.
The community of Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, is in deep shock and grief following the unexpected death of 10-year-old Bryson Funk. As a reminder of how fleeting even the most brilliant lives can be, the youngster died on June 12, 2025, after suffering a heart collapse just hours after leading his baseball team to a championship victory.
On the evening of June 11, Bryson had took the mound for the Linglestown Colts and pitched the game’s final three innings, striking out the final hitter and guaranteeing the team’s victory.
But that happiness was short-lived on Thursday morning when it was revealed that Bryson had passed out and had been taken to the hospital, where he eventually passed away. His family subsequently verified that the cardiac episode was caused by myocarditis, an inflammation of the heart.
Friends, family, and teammates were shocked by his unexpected death. Nine-year-old teammate and close friend Elias Vilfort took comfort in remembering Bryson by writing “3s” around Koons Park’s infield, which stands for the number Bryson proudly wore when throwing during games.
Elias also recalled the thrilling sight of Bryson delivering the game’s final pitch last Wednesday. “He would literally, like, do like a backflip to make a play or, like, slide in the muddy dirt, for like, act like it’s nothing. That’s what kind of player he kinda was,” Elias said.
But baseball wasn’t the only thing that had united the two. Bryson grew to love Elias’s father’s cuisine, and they frequently ate together while collecting trading cards and riding the rides at Hersheypark. According to Elias, Bryson seemed to belong to both families.
This past weekend was supposed to be the first time they had ever played for the same squad. Elias, who wore number five, and Bryson, who wore number 24, were scheduled to play together on the All-Star squad. Unfortunately, that did not occur.
Elias, however, promised that every future match would be won in Bryson’s honour even though they did not win the tournament. In addition, he mentioned that other people had given baseball cards to his late friend’s expanding collection, and he was excited to go over them with Bryson’s dad.
Support started to flood in as soon as word of the tragedy circulated. Nicki Brantner, a relative, set up a GoFundMe page, describing Bryson as a “vibrant, active guy” and emphasising that “no one could have ever imagined” this happening.
Brantner expressed sympathy to the family and asked for assistance in paying for the burial and memorial services. By June 18, over $45,000 had been raised from over 700 gifts. The fundraiser also stressed that anyone who couldn’t donate may still help by praying or spreading the word about the initiative.
In the meantime, social media turned into a forum for group grieving. In a post, Elias’s mother, Amanda Vilfort, announced that her son had lost his best buddy and requested donations to support the Funk family.
A close relative, Melanie Funk, remembered Bryson as “kind-hearted, full of life, and always knew how to make you smile.” She described the impact he had on her personally and how his charm once convinced her to spend $200 on fishing gear with a simple “pretty please.”
Facebook tributes have also been shared by a few local organisations. The tragedy was described as “unexpected and tragic” by 717 Athletics, a nonprofit competitive cheer organisation, which urged the public to show support for the Funk family.
They shared links to the GoFundMe page as well as a Meal Train signup, noting that while Bryson’s time was short, “the love he gave and the memories he created will forever live on.”