Jack "Farley" McFarland

Jack "Farley" McFarland 73, of Cortland passed away unexpectedly on October 29, 2025, in his sleep at home. He was born in Paw Paw, West Virginia on December 14, 1951, and was the son of JJ and Evelyn (Solma) McFarland.

Jack grew up in Sycamore, Illinois, and graduated from Sycamore High School in 1971. He attended Northern Illinois University for a year before leaving school to care for his mother, who had Alzheimer's.

In grade school, Jack earned the nickname "Birdlegs." He had been the tallest kid in class—until one summer when everyone else shot up, and he didn't! His good sense of humor about it followed him throughout life.

Jack met the love of his life, Susan McFarland, in 1982. After dating for only a week or two, Jack proposed.They were married less than a year later on the day of the big flood in 1983.  Together they built a beautiful life and had two daughters: Shannon, who was born into Heaven in 1998, and Kaylee, born in 2000, who became Jack's greatest source of pride and joy.

Jack's parents owned several movie theaters, including the State Street Theater in Sycamore, where Jack worked growing up. That's where he developed his lifelong love of popcorn. One of his friends even nicknamed him "Farley Popcorn." No matter where he went, if popcorn was around, he could sniff it out like a bloodhound, and he always had to have some. He passed that same love of popcorn on to Kaylee.

One of Jack's first jobs was as a short-order cook at Kingsway Restaurant in Sycamore. He went on to spend most of his career at General Electric, where he made many lifelong friends. After retiring from GE in 2012, he worked part-time as a courier for a local business.

Jack was full of laughter and loved to make others smile. He adored his wife and daughter, and he was incredibly proud when Kaylee graduated with her bachelor's in nursing and began her career as an RN at Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital. Jack had a special way of showing affection, if he teased you endlessly, that was his stamp of approval.

He was an avid bowler and could often be found at Mardi Gras Lanes in DeKalb. If you walked in on league night, you'd hear his laughter echoing down the lanes. Bowling was something he shared with Kaylee, too, he loved watching her compete in high school and college, even if she was a DeKalb Barb (his Sycamore rival!).

Jack was a life member of the DeKalb Elks Lodge #765 and served as Exalted Ruler in 1991 and worked his way up to District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler in 1999. Jack enjoyed the years spent in service in the Elks and also bowling on the Elks League for many years, making many friends during that time.

Jack also loved watching sports, especially football and baseball. He cheered passionately for the Chicago Bears and the Cubs and was overjoyed to see the Cubs finally win the World Series in 2016.

Jack made friends everywhere he went. Each one held a special place in his heart—too many to name, but none ever forgotten.

Jack was loved by everyone who knew him. He had a big heart, a playful spirit, and a way of making every person he met feel like a friend. His laughter and kindness will be deeply missed, but the joy he brought to others will live on forever.

Survivors include; wife Susan, daughter Kaylee McFarland, niece Emily Dailey, great nephews Brian and Shaun Dailey. Cousins; Ronald Verdoorn, Brenda McWhorter, Carol Lindsey, Erin (Jamie) Siminoff, and Ollie. Two loving dogs Nikki and Bryzzo who will be lost without him. An estranged brother William McFarland and innumerable friends including special friends since grade school; Marvin Barnes and Rick Armstrong and GE friend Bob Craycraft (who played Santa Claus for a younger Kaylee). Many of Kaylee's friends who he took under his wing and considered as daughters; Georgian Peplos, Emily Reese, Rachel Wozniak, and Danielle Wisdom.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a beautiful daughter Shannon Leigh McFarland, much loved mother in law Betty Marsh, sister in law Lynn Frantum, cousins Barbara Verdoorn and Douglas Verdoorn. Aunt and uncle Rubye and Earl Solma, and faithfully loved dogs Farley, Clyde, Bonnie, and Tommy. Jack was known to share an occasional beer with Clyde and Tommy.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, from 5:00pm-7:00pm at Finch Funeral Home in DeKalb. Funeral Service will be held on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, at 7:00pm at the funeral home. Memorials can be made to the family to be established at a later date. Cremation rites and arrangements were entrusted to Finch Funeral Home 310 Oak St. DeKalb, IL 60115 815-758-3841.