Ermal Faye Breckenridge McFarland

MCFARLAND, BRECKENRIDGE, STEINKAMP

Posted By: Ruth McDowell (email)
Date: 5/10/2013 at 11:06:34

Obituary from Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, Newton, Kansas

Ermal Faye Breckenridge McFarland, 106, passed away on Tuesday (April 23, 2013) at the Newton Presbyterian Manor.

She was born in Tingley, Iowa on March 31, 1907, the daughter of Ellsworth Morrison and Bessie Dell Steinkamp Breckenridge. Ermal finished high school in Tingley and attended Drake University and Simpson College. After graduation she traveled as a professional Drama and Coach Instructor for the Universal Producing Company. She was among the first in this particular field. She was featured in a book “One Thousand and One Broadway.”

Ermal married Dr. Ray E. McFarland on July 11, 1931 in Wheaton, Ill. They moved to Wichita, Ks., where they lived until they moved to the Newton Presbyterian Manor in 1978. Dr. McFarland preceded her in death on March 16, 1994. Her only brother, Chester A. Breckenridge, died in 1991.

She is survived by a sister-in-law, Eula Breckenridge of Treasure Island, Florida; two nieces in Florida; and cousin-in-law of Mount Ayr, Iowa; and many friends.

Ermal was active in Manor life, organizing social gatherings for her neighbors and helping out wherever needed. Ermal’s motto was “Laugh and the world laughs with you; weep and you weep alone.” She would say “A day without laughter was a day lost.”

She will be greatly missed by the Manor and many friends.

Graveside services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Saturday (April 27, 2013) at the Greenwood Cemetery in Newton.

Memorial services will be held at 10:00 A.M., Thursday (May 2, 2013) at the Newton Presbyterian Manor.

In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established with the Newton Presbyterian Manor Good Samaritan program, contributions may be sent to Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, 120 E. Broadway, Newton, Ks. 67114

Arrangements are by Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, Newton.