Roger Dale McFarland, 77, of Greenville, died peacefully on Nov. 27, 2024, at his home surrounded by family.
Visitation will be held on Saturday, Dec. 21, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at St. Lawrence Catholic Church in Greenville. Private graveside service and full military honors will be accorded at Mt. Auburn Cemetery in Greenville. Assalley Funeral Home in Greenville is assisting with arrangements.
Mr. McFarland was born on Sept. 10, 1947, in Hillsboro, to the late Dale McFarland and Vivian (Roe) McFarland. He married Jackie Hempen, on Sept. 21, 1974, in Carlyle and they shared 50 years together. She survives. He grew up attending Greenville public schools.
In January of 1967, he proudly served his country by enlisting in the United States Army. He was stationed in Honolulu, HI, and was a Veteran Army Combat Medic of the Vietnam War, earning the rank of SP4. After his military service, he worked at Genre’s in Greenville and many remember him as “the best dressed man in Bond County” in the 1970s.
Mr. McFarland later started a career as an over the road truck driver for most of his life. He most recently enjoyed his time hauling grain for Tischhauser’s Family Farm in Pocahontas.
A man of varied interests and commitments, he was a member of Greenville V.F.W Post # 1377, where he served as a past quartermaster and trustee, and was a part of the Honor Guard. He was also a member of the Radius Rods Street Rod Club, a past member of the Clinton County Tractor Pullers Association, and former A.B.A.T.E. member. His contributions to the clubs were notable, serving at various times.
Mr. McFarland gained many friendships from the coffee shop to selling racing fuel on Friday and Saturday nights at the oval tracks. Outside of work, he had a passion for his ‘34 Plymouth Hot Rod, attending car shows, enjoyed yard work, was a meticulous man with his vehicles, a big fan of the oval track, building and pulling mini-rod tractors, mushroom hunting, making clocks for friends, was a PET milk enthusiast and, as he called it, always “piddling.”
In addition to his wife and mother, he is survived by his daughters, Cassie (Troy) Micnheimer and Stephanie (Jake) Rose of Greenville; grandchildren, Johnathan D. Joiner, Raegan Micnheimer and Shelby, Bristol and Maggie Rose; siblings, Sue (Ed) Gorline, Judy Bagato and Randy (Jan) McFarland; brother-in-law, Kenny (Pat) Hempen; sister-in-law, Phyllis Billhartz; and many nieces and nephews.
In addition to his father, he was preceded in death by his in-laws, Ray and Agnes “Betty” Hempen; and brothers-in-law, Ray Bagato and Leroy Billhartz.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Greenville V.F.W. Post 1377, 2043 4th St., Greenville, IL 62246 or VITAS Healthcare, 703 W. Union Ave. #1, Litchfield, IL 62056. Memorials will also be received at the visitation or by mail at Assalley Funeral Home, 118 E. College St., Greenville, IL 62246.
Condolences may be left at assalleyfuneralhomes.com.
