Rev. Michael E. McFarland
Rev. Michael E. McFarland, 63, Rochester, his faith became sight with his loving family at his side at 8:05 p.m. Saturday, May 24, 2015, at Woodlawn Hospital of Rochester, after being in failing health since November
He was born June 20, 1951, in Rochester to Eugene and Virginia (Swango) McFarland.
On Sept. 2, 1976, in Rochester, he married Susan J. Craig. She survives.
He had been the Athens United Methodist Church minister for the last four years. Michael had worked for Woodlawn Hospital in the emergency room and intensive care, Kosciusko Community Hospital, Medstat of Warsaw, Director of Nursing at Peabody Retirement of N. Manchester, the EMS Dept. at Woodlawn, and Bremen Kindred Nursing Home.
He received his associates degree in general studies in 1990. He then attained his associate’s degree in nursing from Indiana University in 1991 and bachelor’s degree in 1995. He took the Community Parish Nurse Course in Ohio to further his ministry. He was honored as the Outstanding Alumni in 1995 and Carle Foundation Award in 2002. He attended the Ozark Bible College in Neosho, Mo. He received his Ordination Certificate on July 30, 200,7 from the Northwest Indiana District. He served as pastor of the Logansport and Kingsford Heights Assembly of God Church.
He conducted revival meetings in Logansport, Mooresville, and Athens. Michael also was the associate pastor at the Rochester Nazarene Church as well being involved in children’s ministry. He was looking forward to having his next revival Stepping Back in Time Tent Meeting on June 11–14. In previous year he served as city councilman in Rochester. He was a man of God that never knew a stranger and put others always before himself. He enjoyed family time, reading, and eating at restaurants.
Additional survivors include: daughters: Melissa and husband Brian Weitzel, Rochester and Rebecca and husband Brian Sweany, Rochester; sons: Michael and wife Tamara McFarland, Rochester, and Matthew and wife Samantha McFarland, Lafayette; nine grandchildren: Clifford Vanata, Bronson and wife Dasha Vanata, Margaret and husband Andrew Rock, Madison Sweany and fiancé Kyle Nelson, Joselin Sweany, Bryce Weitzel, Reese Weitzel, Nathinel Beck, and Emma Beck; great-grandchildren: Willow and Weston Vanata; his father, Eugene McFarland, Rochester; mother-in-law: Lorna Craig, Rochester; aunt: Evelyn McFarland, Rochester; brother: Tim and wife Sue McFarland, Rochester; brother-in-Law: Jim and wife Judy Brazo, Warsaw,; nieces and nephews: Julia Gibbons, Laura Smiley, Tim Shepherd, Kim Hunt, and Heather Cox; and dog, Mollie.
He was preceded in death by his mother: Virginia McFarland; mother-in-law: Jo and husband Guy Stayton; father-in-law: Raymond Craig; and brother-in-law: Delmor Shepherd.
Friends may call from 2 p.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, May 27, at the Athens United Methodist Church 230 S. CR 650E, Athens. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, May 28, at the Church of the Nazarene, 1987 Southway 31, Rochester. Officiating will be Rev. Don Meyer and Lay Servant Michael Walters. Burial will be in Rochhester IOOF of Rochester.
Memorial Contributions to: Athens United Methodist Church Teen Ministry or Gideon’s International or the Fulton County Animal Shelter.
Hartzler Funeral Services were in charge of arrangements.