1923
Maurice
2008
Maurice Mcfarland
October 12, 1923 — March 12, 2008
Maurice W. "Mac" McFarland passed away on March 12, 2008, at his home in Overland Park, Kan., with his loving wife by his side.
Mac was born in Providence, R.I., on October 12, 1923, to James F. and Mary T. (Kennedy) McFarland. He moved to Kansas City, Mo., at age 8. On March 24, 1945, he married the girl next door, Viva C. Burns, at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Kansas City.
He served in the U.S. Navy in World War II from January 1942 through November 1945, serving all over the Pacific on the USS Chester. He was a linotype operator and composer for various publications, including the Kansas City Star, the Iola Register, the Garden City Telegram, and the Hutchinson News. After retirement from the news business, he owned and operated a liquor store and mix shop in Hutchinson, Kan. Mac and Vi lived in Kansas City, Mo., and Garden City, Kan. They lived in Hutchinson for 38 years, but moved to Overland Park in 2004 to be closer to family. Mac was a life member of the Knights of Columbus Council #612, Hutchinson, and a member of the USS Chester Association. He was a parishioner of the Church of the Ascension in Overland Park, and was a member of their senior group.
Mac is survived by his wife of the home; two sons, Daniel Patrick of Kansas City, Mo., Sean Timothy (Teresa) of St. Charles, Mo.; and three daughters, Maura Welch (Lauren), Manhattan, Kan., Nancy "Katie" Derby (Pete Falvai), Marietta, Ga., and Erin Foust, Overland Park. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren: Tony, Megan (Curtis), Shannon Christopher (Alanna), Molly (Patrick), Colin, Kerry, Brad, Rocco, Connor and Ryan; two step grandchildren, David (Gwen) and Mike (Lisa); three great grandchildren and four step great grandchildren. Mac is also survived by his brothers Jack (Cathy) of Olympia, Wash., and Tom (Jean) of Kansas City, Mo. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Helen, and brothers George, Jim and Bob. Mac loved to tell stories and jokes, and loved to read; he was wonderfully self- educated and well-read, and knew spelling, grammar and punctuation perfectly from his newspaper work. He was proud of his Navy service and greatly enjoyed the USS Chester reunions. Mac's mother was from Ireland and he was always so proud to be Irish. His best love was just to be with his wife and family. He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 15, at Church of the Ascension, 9510 W. 127th, Overland Park. Visitation will be held the evening prior from 6-8 p.m. at D.W. Newcomer's Sons Overland Park Chapel, 8201 Metcalf, Overland Park, with a rosary to be held at 7 p.m. Burial will take place at 10 a.m. Monday, March 17, at Leavenworth National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Catholic Community Hospice, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, KS 66102.
Mac was born in Providence, R.I., on October 12, 1923, to James F. and Mary T. (Kennedy) McFarland. He moved to Kansas City, Mo., at age 8. On March 24, 1945, he married the girl next door, Viva C. Burns, at Our Lady of Good Counsel Church in Kansas City.
He served in the U.S. Navy in World War II from January 1942 through November 1945, serving all over the Pacific on the USS Chester. He was a linotype operator and composer for various publications, including the Kansas City Star, the Iola Register, the Garden City Telegram, and the Hutchinson News. After retirement from the news business, he owned and operated a liquor store and mix shop in Hutchinson, Kan. Mac and Vi lived in Kansas City, Mo., and Garden City, Kan. They lived in Hutchinson for 38 years, but moved to Overland Park in 2004 to be closer to family. Mac was a life member of the Knights of Columbus Council #612, Hutchinson, and a member of the USS Chester Association. He was a parishioner of the Church of the Ascension in Overland Park, and was a member of their senior group.
Mac is survived by his wife of the home; two sons, Daniel Patrick of Kansas City, Mo., Sean Timothy (Teresa) of St. Charles, Mo.; and three daughters, Maura Welch (Lauren), Manhattan, Kan., Nancy "Katie" Derby (Pete Falvai), Marietta, Ga., and Erin Foust, Overland Park. He is also survived by 10 grandchildren: Tony, Megan (Curtis), Shannon Christopher (Alanna), Molly (Patrick), Colin, Kerry, Brad, Rocco, Connor and Ryan; two step grandchildren, David (Gwen) and Mike (Lisa); three great grandchildren and four step great grandchildren. Mac is also survived by his brothers Jack (Cathy) of Olympia, Wash., and Tom (Jean) of Kansas City, Mo. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Helen, and brothers George, Jim and Bob. Mac loved to tell stories and jokes, and loved to read; he was wonderfully self- educated and well-read, and knew spelling, grammar and punctuation perfectly from his newspaper work. He was proud of his Navy service and greatly enjoyed the USS Chester reunions. Mac's mother was from Ireland and he was always so proud to be Irish. His best love was just to be with his wife and family. He will be greatly missed by his family and many friends.
Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, March 15, at Church of the Ascension, 9510 W. 127th, Overland Park. Visitation will be held the evening prior from 6-8 p.m. at D.W. Newcomer's Sons Overland Park Chapel, 8201 Metcalf, Overland Park, with a rosary to be held at 7 p.m. Burial will take place at 10 a.m. Monday, March 17, at Leavenworth National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Catholic Community Hospice, 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, KS 66102.
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