Thomas MacFarlane

Thomas MacFarlane, 80, of St. Joseph, passed away Saturday, November 21, 2009 at his home. A memorial service will be held 11:30 A.M. Saturday, November 28, 2009 at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd. St. Joseph. The family asks that memorials be made to Silver Beach Carousel Society, at www.silverbeachcarousel.com. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Born November 15, 1929 in Fort Wayne, IN., Thomas was the child of Russell & Viva (Osborn) MacFarlane. Raised in Hillsdale, MI and Coldwater, MI, Tom was always interested in science, and electronics. He served in a MASH unit during the Korean War, which fostered a love of travel, and appreciation for Asian culture. In 1951, Tom met Carma Louise Lanius of Hillsdale, MI , where they were married May 24, 1953. Tom and Lou made their home in Coldwater, MI, and had three of their four children there. He became actively involved in a community organization that refurbished the Tibbetts Opera House in Coldwater. In 1964, they moved to St Joseph, where Tom was an engineer at Whirlpool for over thirty years. He was involved in the development of equipment for personal hygiene systems at zero gravity, for Whirlpool's commitment to NASA. His gift for design earned him several patents for the trash compacter, and assembly line safety controls. A noted audiophile and lover of jazz, he enjoyed a large record collection, and interviewing musicians at jazz concerts and festivals. He shared much of this knowledge through interviews, and jazz history lectures at St Joe High School, Krasl Art Center, and Lake Michigan College. He recorded live performances of local musicians and high school ensembles to create master tapes, used to make records and CDs. After his retirement, Tom shared his knowledge and skills with several community organizations: an animal shelter, a women's shelter, St. Joe Today, the Curious Kids Museum, the Box Factory, and the Silver Beach Carousel Society. Most recently, he aided local author, Daryl Schlender, in authenticating information about the history of the St. Joseph area. Tom gave clarity of perspective and strength to those around him. He will be missed. Tom is survived by his daughters, Cathy (Robert) MacFarlane-Haws of Wellesley, MA; Jean MacFarlane-Bommarito of Richardson, TX; and son, Robb (Nora) MacFarlane, of Cincinnati, OH; son-in-law, Dr. Randy Rice; and six grandchildren: Russell Haws, Megan Bommarito, Benjamin and Taylor MacFarlane, and Lee, and Kevin Rice. In addition to his parents, Thomas was preceded in death by his wife, Lou, and daughter, Sara MacFarlane-Rice.