HOLLYWOOD, USA - Funeral services were held today for the man who brought us Yogi Bear, Tom and Jerry and The Banana Splits. Joseph Barbera, who died Monday December 18th of natural causes at age 95, was remembered fondly by friends and family as a man with integrity and class, who could take numerous blows to the head with a frying pan.

“Heavens to Murgatroid, Joe was a sweetheart!” recalls employee and friend Snagglepuss. “He didn’t care what other people thought, and always looked out for the underdog. In fact, he was hiring gay cartoon animals long before it was chic, even… or so I hear.”

In addition to Snagglepuss, the funeral was attended by numerous bipedal zoo animals, articulating dogs, sentient vehicles, and at least one inch-high private detective. It was mostly a joyous affair, with frequent outbursts of laughter… although reports indicate a laugh track may have been used. After the ceremony, a harp was placed in the deceased’s hands, a balloon tied to his waist, and he floated up to heaven.

“He lived a full life, don’t cha know,” explains Wally Gator. “At least it wasn’t an untimely death like Bill’s,” continues Gator, referring to the parachute accident which claimed the life of Barbera’s longtime partner William Hanna. “I was there when it happened. We were being chased by a gun-toting rooster and Bill didn’t notice that he’d run right off a cliff!” describes Wally. “He flapped his arms long enough for me to hand him a parachute, but when he pulled the ripcord, cutlery came flying out. They never did find the body. Only a really deep hole and a small sign that read Yipes!”

Joseph Barbera is survived by his wife, Sheila, and a time-traveling orangutan named Percy.