Obituaries : James A. \'Jim\' McFarland

Jim McFarland

VINTON – James A. “Jim” McFarland, 71, of Vinton, died Thursday, September 13, 2012, at his home following a brief illness.

A Celebration of Life service will be held 11:00 a.m. Thursday, September 20, 2012, at First Christian Church in Vinton with Reverends Connie Wacht and Ron Lashmilt officiating. Visitation will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, September 19, at Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home in Vinton and one hour prior to services at the church on Thursday. Interment will be in Maplewood Cemetery, Vinton.

Jim was born July 8, 1941, in Vinton, Iowa, the son of Arthur James and Mary Mae Winterowd McFarland. On June 19, 2004, Jim was united in marriage with Debra Ann Dronebarger at their home in Vinton.

Jim was a tuckpointer for D.C. Taylor, Karr Tuckpointing and McFarland Tuckpointing. He had the honor of working on the Washington Monument. He retired after 34 years of service. He also worked for the Senior Dining Program at HACAP in Vinton.

Jim attended Calvary Foursquare Church in Tipton. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club and the Eagle’s Club in Vinton.

Jim is survived by his wife, Debra, of Vinton; two sons: Doug (Tammy) McFarland of Glen St. Mary, FL, and Mark (Tammy) McFarland of Sugarland, TX; two daughters: Brenda (Randy) Kovatch of Marion and Shannon Wheeler of Vinton, two stepsons: Anthony Smith of Davenport and Aaron Smith of Vinton; five sisters: Mary Watson of Vinton, Neva (Dave) Geinzer of Tipton, Nancy Jones of Vinton, Judy (Dan) Ortz of Cedar Rapids, and Debbie (Chet) Westcott of Oxford Junction; one brother: Mike McFarland of Vinton; and eight grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Linda Uthoff and Hazel Corcran.

A memorial fund has been established.

Van Steenhuyse-Russell Funeral Home of Vinton is caring for Jim and his family. Condolences may be left at www.vsrfh.com.