Chester McFarland

Family-Placed Obituary


McFARLAND, Chester "Jay" celebrated his home-going on Thursday, January 4, 2007, following a brief stay at Mercy St. John's Center. Jay was born on April 22, 1925 in North Hampton, Ohio the son of Chester Lloyd and Lena Rebecca (Free) McFarland. Mr. McFarland was married to Mary Jane Shroyer on September 11, 1943. Together they celebrated their 63rd anniversary. Jay was a "meat man" all his life. His employment history included: Driscoll's Abattoir, Ott's Meat Market, Fink & Hine Meat Company, Springfield Meat Company, and was part owner in the family business, McFarland Brother's Meats. Many will remember the various jingles sung by the "Singing Butcher" while cutting meat or helping customers at the downtown City Market. While owner of McFarland Brothers Meats, Jay belonged to the Springfield Rotary Club where he achieved 15 years of perfect attendance. After retirement, Mr. McFarland worked part-time for Richards, Raff, and Dunbar Memorial Home. In addition, Jay served as a volunteer for Mercy Medical Center for 14 years. Jay was a born-again Christian for 62 years, giving His heart and life to Jesus Christ in 1944. He had a passion for Christ and His Church, attending three Churches throughout his life: Maiden Lane Church of God where he was an elder; Northside Church of God, which he and Mary Jane helped to plant; and presently, Hillside Avenue Church of God where he was a Sunday School teacher until 2004. Gifted and talented as a teacher, Mr. McFarland totaled more than 50 years of teaching between the three Churches of God. Mr. McFarland is survived not only by his wife but also his three children: Rev. Dr. John (Genny) McFarland, Defiance, Ohio, Becki Huxley, Urbana, Ohio and Rev. Rob (Missi) McFarland, Hubbard, Ohio. He and Mary Jane have five grandchildren, Ginger (Scott) Kolbaba, Elgin, Ill.; Scott (Jill) Hiles, London, Ohio; Rob McFarland, II, Hubbard, Ohio; Olivia (Greg) Powell, Hubbard, Ohio; and Amber (Craig) Dillon, Urbana, Ohio; one step-granddaughter, Angela Bahan, Woodstock, Ohio; four great-grandchildren, Adria Powell and twins Isaac and Chase Powell of Hubbard, Ohio, and Isabel Eileen Hiles of London, Ohio. In addition, Jay is survived by a brother, Max McFarland of Enon, Ohio and Bradenton, Florida; two sisters, Norma McFarland, Springfield, Ohio; and Iva Wolfe, St. Paris, Ohio, plus many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers Elwood, Harold, Bill, and Lloyd; three sisters Esther Blakely, Mildred Gault, and Isabel Dustman. Jay and Mary Jane also had many special close and wonderful friends at their evening Meijer's Group. The family will receive visitors Monday from 1-3 and 6-8 p.m. in the RICHARDS, RAFF & DUNBAR MEMORIAL HOME and for one hour prior to services in the church. The Home-Going Celebration will be held Tuesday at 10:30 a.m. in the Hillside Avenue Church of God. Interment will be at New Carlisle Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Hillside Avenue Church of God Memorial Fund. Expressions of sympathy may be sent to www.richardsraffanddunbar.com.