Mr. Silas Robert McFarland, age 78, of RD 4, Tyrone, died Monday, October 6, 2008 at Mt. Nittany Medical Center, State College. He was born November 22, 1929 in Antis Township, the son of S. Carl and Ruth M. Benson McFarland. On June 22, 1952 at the First Methodist Church he was married to Donna J. Waite who survives. Also surviving are two children – Pamela Jo, wife of Donald Beaver of Bellwood, and Silas R. McFarland and wife Peggy of Harrisburg; four grandchildren – Joshua Beaver (Annie) of Bellwood, Troy Beaver of Pittsburgh, and Jared and Tyler McFarland, both of Harrisburg; and one great-grandchild, Julien Beaver. He is also survived by a brother, Charles “Tim” (Norma) McFarland of Hendersonville, NC, and a sister, Lethian Baur of California. He was preceded in death by a brother, Richard.
Mr. McFarland was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church where he had served as an usher, Sunday School superintendent, of the board of trustees, and on the administrative council. He was a graduate of Bellwood-Antis High School Class of 1947. He served in the U.S. Army from March 1951 until June 1953. He had been employed as a machinist at Chicago Rivet and Machine Company, retiring in April 1992 after 47 years service. He was a member of B.P.O.E. No. 212 and the Sinking Valley Country Club.
Bob loved being in the outdoors, dancing and music, and watching his grandsons play sports. There wasn’t anything that he couldn’t fix. He was one of the early shareholders of New Pig.
Funeral service for S. Robert McFarland will be Wednesday, October 8, 2008 at 11 a.m. at the Richard H. Searer Funeral Home Inc. with Pastor Charles J. Fitzgerald officiating. Interment will follow in Blair Memorial Park. Friends may call at the funeral home on Tuesday from 7 to 9 p.m. and on Wednesday from 10 a.m. until the time of service.
Contributions in his memory are requested to the Alzheimer’s Association, 3544 N. Progress Avenue, Suite 205, Harrisburg, PA 17110.
