Robert D. McFarland


Robert D. "Bob" McFarland was the only child of Howard G. and Vera I. (Shaver) McFarland. He was born on June 16, 1930 in Charlotte, Eaton County, Michigan, USA.

He was a graduate of Olivet High School (located in Olivet, Eaton County), class of 1949. After graduation, Bob served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

On November 8, 1953, he married Ellen Irene Harrington in the Mt. Hope Methodist Church in Lansing, Ingham County, Michigan.

The couple resided in the Olivet area for 11 years prior to moving to the Marshall area in 1965. Bob was employed for 35 years with the Grand Trunk Railroad in Battle Creek. He retired in 1991.

Bob loved fishing and in his youth going hunting with his father in the Upper Peninsula. He was an avid reader and enjoyed woodworking. He was a devoted father and grandfather and was in attendance at almost all of his grandchildren sporting events.

Bob passed away on September 22, 2006, at the age of 76, at Battle Creek Health System in Battle Creek, Calhoun County, Michigan.

Together, Bob and Ellen had five known daughters:

Cheryl (McFarland) Jenks [living]

Marlene (McFarland) Zarou [living]

Ruthann (McFarland) Jarvis [living]

Barbara (McFarland) Fabizzak [living]

Judy (McFarland) Wright [living]

*Note: Specific information may not be listed for living persons for the privacy of these individuals.