McFarland, Merlin Dewayne (1927-2021)

MCFARLAND, WILSON, TAYLOR, COLE, THOMAS, HOUGLAND, POLSON

Posted By: Debbie Greenfield (email)
Date: 11/17/2021 at 15:53:39

South Hamilton Record News, Jewell, Iowa, October 27, 2021

Merlin Dewayne McFarland, age 94, of Clive, IA passed into eternity on October 27, 2021 in his home surrounded by his family. Merlin was a loving and devoted son, husband, father and grandfather.

Merlin was born October 3, 1927 in Carthage, MO to Glen H. McFarland and Maybelle (Wilson) McFarland.

At just two weeks old his parents moved back to Iowa. Merlin grew up on a farm south and west of Jewell until he was 12 years old. His father bought a farm four miles north and one mile east of Jewell, where he would reside until he retired in his 70's.

Merlin first attended one room country school by Stanhope, IA. After age 12 he went to Ellsworth school.

Merlin met the love of his life Barbara Lee Taylor during their high school years. They were married June 29, 1946 in the Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA. They would return many times to the yearly special wedding reunion service. One year winning the longest and oldest couple there. They were married 72 years before Barbara passed away in 2018.

Merlin and Barb had two children, Michael Dean McFarland born July 21, 1951. And Judy Ann McFarland born February 10, 1954. The whole family all lived on the family farm until Merlin's parents built and moved into a new house in Jewell in 1959.

Having lived his whole life around Jewell, he and Barb had many many friends and family. They loved having company. Barb was a great cook and Merlin loved to make homemade bread. He also found a passion for cooking Chinese food in a wok.

Merlin had been in the Jewell bowling league and when Jewell opened a golf course, they were active members for many years. Merlin also loved to play pool and was very good at it. He loved to play cards and him and Barb loved to travel. They were members of the United Church of Christ in Jewell.

Merlin drove a South Hamilton school bus for many many years. He also drove the girls softball team to away games and him and Barb really enjoyed watching their games.

Merlin loved being a farmer. He took great pride in caring for his land and livestock. He loved animals, always feeding lots of cats every morning warm milk and cat food. He loved woodworking from making toys for grandkids to beautiful cabinets and furniture. His passion for detail was unrivaled. In his 90's he took up painting pictures as a hobby, he showed the same eye for detail in his art.

Merlin and Barb moved into Jewell in 1992. In 2005 they moved to a small apartment in Ames. In 2011 they made their final move to a senior living complex in Clive, IA to be closer to their family. At Walnut Ridge they enjoyed meeting and making new friends and kept very busy with many kinds of activities there.

Merlin is preceded in death by his father and mother. His beloved wife Barb and son Michael. Also all his in laws he loved very much, Fritz and Alice Taylor, Richard and Carol Taylor, Virginia and Argle Cole, Alice and Nile Thomas and nephew Rick Taylor.

Merlin is survived by his daughter Judy McFarland, grandchildren Chris (Candy) Hougland, Jennifer (Mike) Polson, Jon (Nursel) McFarland. Great grandchildren Ethan and Brooklyn Houghland, Isabel McFarland and Michael Jon Polson. All live around Des Moines, IA. As well as many cousins, nieces and nephews and their children.

Due to Covid a small private celebration of life will be held at Walnut Ridge, 1701 Campus Dr., Clive, IA, October 28, 2021 at 2pm.

In lieu of flowers a donation to Alzheimer's Association in Barbara's memory would be appreciated.