Martha V. McFarland, age 95, of Marion and formerly of Waldo, went to be with her Lord, husband and sons, on Monday afternoon, June 25, 2012, at the Primrose Retirement Community of Marion following an extended illness.
On December 19, 1916, Martha was the first born child of 10, of the late Lawrence E. and Vinnie (Miller) Reebel in Jackson County, West Virginia. At an early age, her family moved to Marion for work, where she graduated from Marion Harding High School in the Class of 1936.
Shortly following graduation, Martha married the love of her life, William “Wayne” McFarland, on July 3, 1936. They shared over 44 years of marriage and lovingly raised four children. He preceded her in death on February 15, 1981.
A loving homemaker, Martha took great pride in caring for her family and instilling manners and discipline in her children.
A woman of deep faith, Martha was an active member of the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Waldo, where she enjoyed participating in and leading their quilting club. She also was a member of the Pythian Sister Onawa Temple 600 of Delaware, she was very active with the Boy Scouts, and was a Den Mother for the Cub Scouts in Waldo.
Living through the depression, Martha understood the value in a garden, and planted a large crop of vegetables for her family every year.
Having a love for traveling, Martha enjoyed going camping in their pop-up Apache camper to near by parks and taking many other memorable trips with her husband, Wayne. She also enjoyed traveling later in life with her travel buddy and sister, Faye, as long as they could.
Able to crochet and sew just about anything, Martha enjoyed making clothes for her family and even made clothes for their dolls. She also enjoyed making afghans, doilies and ornaments to give to family and friends.
Despite being small in stature, Martha was very large in spirit. She was very strong willed and feisty, and always worked hard for the things she believed in.
Most every day for years, Martha enjoyed walking from the north end of Waldo to the south end of Waldo. She especially enjoyed this daily commute because she got to see and visit with her beloved friends and neighbors in the community of Waldo.
She will be dearly missed by her two children: Virginia (Dan) Dunlap of Cardington, and Robert (Debbi) McFarland of Delaware; five grandchildren: Heather (Guy) McCurdy, Eric and Brian Dunlap, Kathryn McFarland, and Kyle (Tiffany) McFarland; seven great-grandchildren: Jake, Justin, Ally, and Grace McCurdy, Dakota, Tyler and Taylor Dunlap; her two youngest brothers: Neason (Pat) Reebel of Prospect, and Gail (Mary Ann) Reebel of Texas; and numerous nieces, nephews and dear friends from Waldo.
Including her husband and parents, Martha was preceded in death by two sons: Lawrence Wayne McFarland and John McFarland; and six siblings: Roberta Banks, Vera Campbell, Faye Saunders, Paul Reebel, Eloise Hughes, and Junior Reebel.
Her family will greet friends from 4 – 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 28, 2012, at the Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home, 360 E. Center St. Marion, where Pythian Sisters services will take place at 4 p.m. Services celebrating her homecoming will be held on Friday at 10:30 a.m. at the St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 135 S. Main St., Waldo, with Pastor Sarah Schaaf officiating. Burial will follow in Waldo Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Heartland Hospice or the Stephanie Spielman Fund for Breast Cancer Research, and they may be sent to the care of the funeral home.
Her family would like to extend a heartfelt “thank you” to the caring nurses and staff with both Heartland Hospice and at the Primrose Retirement Community for their tender loving care of Martha.
Denzer-Farison-Hottinger & Snyder Funeral Home is honored to have been chosen to serve Martha’s family and your private condolences may be expressed to them by visiting www.snyderfuneralhomes.com.
About Marion Online Obituaries
