Robert F. MacFarlane

On Friday August 2, 2019, Robert F. MacFarlane received his angel wings and joined the Love of his Life, his wife Joyce, in Heaven. He left this earth peacefully at 2:30pm, surrounded by his family, whom he cherished. 

His family invites you to join them at his visitation on Wednesday, August 7, 2019 at Owens Funeral Home, 101 N. Elm St, Champaign from 5-7pm, with a wake service beginning at 4:30pm. Bob’s funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, August 8, 2019, at 10am, at St Matthew Catholic Church, 1303 Lincolnshire Dr, Champaign with Msgr. Stanley Deptula officiating. He will be buried at Roselawn Cemetery, Champaign, beside his loving wife. 

Bob was born on January 23, 1934 to George and Esther MacFarlane in East Dubuque, IL; one of seven children. He attended East Dubuque High School and married his “Lady Love”, Joyce M. Zillig, on January 21, 1956 at St Mary’s Catholic Church in Dubuque, Iowa.  They moved to Champaign/Urbana, IL after they wed, and raised 7 children.  Bob worked at the University of Illinois and also worked from home tirelessly in the evenings illustrating books on the side.  He retired from the U of I as a Chief Engineering Draftsman.  Bob was a devout Catholic and attended St Matthew Catholic Church in Champaign, with his wife. 

Those who knew Bob, would describe him as one of the greatest men they’d ever met; a man who had a kind, caring, and had a gentle soul. He was very outgoing, a gentleman, someone that everyone enjoyed being around, and he always welcomed company into his house. Bob was a family man who loved his family first and foremost, and cherished every moment with them.  He liked fishing, drawing, woodworking, cooking, jogging, attending festivals and farmers markets, spending time with his family at their cabin, and dancing with his wife. 

Bob was preceded in death by his beautiful wife of 59 years, Joyce Zillig MacFarlane, his parents George MacFarlane and Esther (Ziegler) MacFarlane from Dubuque, IA, his sister Esther Dalsing of Des Moines, IA, his brother George MacFarlane of Moline, IL, his sister Joyce Howard of Kevil, KY, and his brother David MacFarlane on East Dubuque, IL.  

He is survived by his seven children whom he was very proud of; Cheri Duncan (Mark) of Champaign, Lynn Bushman (Mike) of Mahomet, Kelli Durdle of Mahomet, Robert MacFarlane Jr. (Joleen) of Champaign, Terri Hovde of Mahomet, Donald MacFarlane (Hollie) of Mahomet, and Vonda MacFarlane of Champaign; along with 21 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren; his sister Mary Fluhr (Ken) of East Dubuque, and his brother Michael MacFarlane (Kathy) of Ajo, AZ.

 

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