Town board mourns passing of member

News of the passing of the Winamac Town Council President Ken McFarland, who has served the community most of his life in various capacities, has many locals reminiscing.  
McFarland, who was recently elected to the town council in 2015, was known by many to have the interest of Winamac at heart. 
He began working for the town as an electrician/lineman for Winamac in 1971. He learned the ins and outs of the town and became the town manager and building inspector in 1989. He then served as the town manager before he retired in 1998. After he retired as town manager, he continued with the town and worked as the part-time summer parks department help for three years, beginning in 2000. 
Councilwoman Judy Heater said she was saddened to hear that McFarland had passed. 
“He will definitely be missed because he served in so many capacities,” Heater said. “Always uppermost in his mind was what was best for Winamac.” 
McFarland was town manager when Heater was elected as the town clerk. She said without his help and the clerk deputies, she would have struggled. 
Town manager Brad Zellers has also leaned on the experience of McFarland in regards to town business. 
“Not everyone agreed with him but everyone respected him,” Zellers said.
Heater agreed with Zellers and said the town board members also respected him. 
Zellers said that McFarland never seemed to age and he was expecting McFarland to outlive him. He said the reality of losing McFarland is a bit unbelievable. 
Many times since Zellers became the town manager he has called McFarland especially in regards to town zoning. 
Zellers said McFarland would always have an answer. It might not be right away but by the next morning, McFarland would have an answer. 
“He didn’t make an irrational decision. He really thought about it,” Zellers said.  
Heater said not only was McFarland passionate about the town but he was also a passionate patriot. 
McFarland was a member of the VFW Post 1728 and the American Legion Post 71 in Winamac. Heater said many times, he would be at the veterans’ funerals and the veterans’ day ceremonies. She said this was the first year in some time that he was not the master-at-arms at the various ceremonies.  
When McFarland received the Quilt of Valor he was both humbled and pleased, according to Heater. McFarland received his Quilt of Valor in June of 2015. 
Even after he retired he didn’t quit caring for the town, according to Heater. McFarland served on the town council from 2000 to 2006 and then again in 2015 and 2016. 
As Heater remembers McFarland and the support he gave to the town, she said McFarland’s wife, Alma, was part of that support team. 
“Alma was always the quiet presence behind Ken. She has always been supportive of the town and as friends,” Heater said.