BRANDON:  Dennis L. McFarland, 77, passed away peacefully on Monday, July 19, 2021, at his rural Brandon home, with his family by his side.

Funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday July 23, 2021 at the Phillips Funeral Home Chapel (212 E. 6 ^th Street) in Vinton. with Rev. Luke Evans officiating.  Interment will be held at the Brandon Cemetery with U.S. Navy military honors.  Friends may call from 4:00 until 7:00 PM Thursday at the funeral home in Vinton.  A memorial fund has been established.

Dennis was born on May 16, 1944, in Waterloo to Harvey John and Pearl Marie (Marshall) McFarland.  Dennis served his Country in the United States Navy from 1963 until 1967, as a Boatswain Mate 3 ^rd Class aboard the U.S.S. Okinawa.  On April 29, 1967, he was united in marriage to Marie Bathen at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in LaPorte City.

Dennis worked at John Deere Tractor Works in Waterloo for twenty-nine and a half years.  He was a proud member of the Brandon Volunteer Fire Department from 1979 until 2018.  Dennis enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fishing, and camping were favorite activities, as well as attending dirt track races and socializing.  His greatest joy was spending time with his grandchildren

Dennis is survived by his wife Marie; children, William (Tami) McFarland and Jeffrey (Christine) McFarland, all of LaPorte City, Denise (Eddie) Biretz of Fairbank, Debra (Joel) Swanson of Maquoketa; 8 grandchildren, Ashley Hess, Marrysa Harkness, Timmy McFarland, Magan Biretz, Morgan Biretz, Madilynn Biretz, Ethan Biretz, and Tanner Swanson; 4 brothers, Cliff (Nancy) McFarland, Darryl (Lorraine) McFarland, Jim (Deb) Jungling, Bill (Deb) Jungling; his sister Sue (Tim) Kelly; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother John McFarland; and sister Carla (Kenny) Kennedy.

Online condolences www.phillipsfuneralhomes.com