Bob D. McFarland

Bob D. McFarland, age 76, of Marshall died Friday, September 22, 2006 at Battle Creek Health System.Mr. McFarland was born on June 16, 1930 in Charlotte, Michigan to Howard and Vera (Shaver) McFarland. He was a graduate of Olivet High School, class of 1949. Following his graduation, Bob served in the United States Army during the Korean War. On November 8, 1953, he married the former Ellen Irene Harrington in the Mt. Hope Methodist Church in Lansing. The couple resided in the Olivet area for 11 years prior to moving to the Marshall area in 1965.Mr. McFarland had been 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. Bob was a devoted father and grandfather and was in attendance at almost all of his grandchildren sporting events. He will be remembered as a wonderful and caring man and missed by his neighbors for his thoughtful deeds of kindness, such as plowing snow from their driveway and roto-tilling their gardens.He is survived by his wife, Ellen; daughters, Cheryl (Dale) Jenks of Marshall, Marlene Zarou of Marshall, Ruthann (Lionel) Jarvis of Battle Creek, Barbara (Joe) Fabiszak of Traverse City and Judy (Michael) Wright of Marshall; grandchildren, Eddy and Ben Jenks, Shannon and Daniel Organ, Austin Jarvis and Bradley and Laura Wright.Private visitation and services are being planned at the Craig K. Kempf Funeral Home. Friends who wish may make memorials donations to the charity of one''s choice.