Rev. Michael E. McFarland

1951 - 2015

Rev. Michael E. McFarland, 63, of Rochester, Indiana had his faith become sight with his loving family at his side at 8:05 p.m., Saturday, May 23, 2015 at Woodlawn Hospital of Rochester after being in failing health since November.
Michael was born June 30, 1951 in Rochester to Eugene and Virginia (Swango) McFarland. He was married Sept. 2, 1976 in Rochester to Susan J. Craig and 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.
Michael received his Associates Degree in General Studies in 1990. He then attained his Associates Degree in Nursing from Indiana University in 1991 and Bachelors 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, Missouri. He received his Ordination Certificate on July 30, 2007 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 June 11 through 14. In previous years 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.
Survivors include his wife, Sue McFarland of Rochester; daughters, Melissa and husband Brian Weitzel and Rebecca and husband Brian Sweany, all of Rochester; sons, Michael and wife Tamara McFarland of Rochester and Matthew and wife Samantha McFarland of Lafayette; father, Eugene McFarland of Rochester; mother-in-law, Lorna Craig of Rochester; aunt, Evelyn McFarland of Rochester; 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; brother, Tim and wife Sue McFarland of Rochester; brother-in-law, Jim and wife Judy Brazo of Warsaw, Indiana; nieces and nephews, Julia Gibbons, Laura Smiley, Tim Shepherd, Kim Hunt, and Heather Cox; and pet 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 and family may visit on Wednesday, May 27, 2 to 8 p.m., at the Athens United Methodist Church in East Athens. Funeral services for Michael will be held on Thursday, May 28, 10:30 a.m., at the Church of the Nazarene in Rochester with Rev. Don Meyer and Lay Servant Michael Walters officiating. Burial will take place at Rochester IOOF.
Memorial contributions may be sent to Athens United Methodist Church Teen Ministry, Gideon's International or the Fulton County Animal Shelter.
Arrangements entrusted to Hartzler Funeral Home in Akron, Indiana. Share a memory or send an online condolence at hartzlerfuneralservices.com.