04/23/2021

Obituary for David F. McFarland

Retired Funeral Director and Former Owner of the McFarland & Son Funeral Services Company

David F. McFarland, age 98, of Sebring, and formerly of Warren, passed away on April 22, 2021.

He was born on October 7, 1922 in Warren to William R. and Ida Belle Hirst McFarland. 

He graduated from Warren G. Harding High School in 1940, attended Mount Union College where he was a member of Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity, and graduated from the Cincinnati College of Embalming in 1946. Dave was a veteran of World War II serving in the 89rd Armored Recon Battalion of the 3rd Armored Division in Europe.

He was the owner and operator of the former McFarland & Son Funeral Services Company in Warren which was founded by his grandfather in 1897. Tradition was carried on by his son, fourth generation Jim McFarland.

He was a member by invitation to the Selected Independent Funeral Homes, NFDA, (National Funeral Directors Association), and OFDA (Ohio Funeral Directors Association), and the Warren Buckeye Club. 

In 1999 he and his wife moved to Copeland Oaks in Sebring, Ohio.

Dave was known for his love of family, dedication to his friends and service to his community.

Dave was a member of the Union Avenue United Methodist Church and longtime member of the former First United Methodist Church in Warren. He was a member of the Alliance Rotary Club, a past president of the Warren Rotary Club and a Paul Harris recipient. Old Erie Lodge, #3, F&AM; Mahoning Chapter, #10, Warren Council, #58; Past Commander of Warren Commandery Knights Templar, #39.

He was a past president of Warren YMCA, past chairman of Western Reserve Council of Boy Scouts of America, recipient of Silver Beaver Award, past chairman of the board and trustee emeritus of the Warren Salvation Army, member of the board of directors of the Warren Chamber of Commerce, the Trumbull County Red Cross, and Sebring Salvation Army.

Dave was preceded in death by his wife, Mary Beth Carr McFarland, whom he married April 30, 1944, and who passed on May 31, 2018; and a brother, Dr. Philip H. McFarland.

He is survived by a daughter, Martha (William) Dooley of Hanover, MA; and sons, Thomas C. (Holly) McFarland of Gahanna, OH and James D. McFarland of Champion Twp. and Sarasota, FL; and Paula of Warren; caregiver, Sarah Smith of Salem; four grandsons, William Dooley, Jonathan Dooley, Brian McFarland, and Christopher McFarland; seven great-grandchildren, Clara, James, Samuel and Roger Dooley, Jack, Cooper and Reid McFarland; two step-granddaughters, Megan (Gary) Boyk and Amy (Ryan) Brigner; and three step great-grandsons, Zayden Brigner, Cameron Brigner and Maddox Boyk, and baby girl Dooley, arriving in September.

A Memorial Service will be held at Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home on Wednesday, April 28, 2021 at 1:30 p.m. with Rev. Coralee Cox and Rev. David Parry co-officiating. The service will be Livestreamed on our website www.ctcfuneral.com @ 1:30 p.m. Wednesday.

Visitation will be one hour prior to the service on Wednesday.

A private graveside service will be held at Oakwood Cemetery in Warren, Ohio on Tuesday.

In lieu of flowers, memorial Contributions may be made to the OAKS Foundation, 715 S. Johnson Rd. Sebring, Ohio 44672, or Union Avenue United Methodist Church, 1843 S. Union Ave. Alliance, Ohio 44601.

Arrangements are entrusted to Cassaday-Turkle-Christian Funeral Home 75 South Union Ave Alliance, Ohio 44601.