Kenneth McFarlan Obituary

Kenneth (Ken) L. McFarlan

Jun 26, 1952 - Mar 31, 2026

Oak Harbor

Kenneth (Ken) L. McFarlan, 73, of Oak Harbor, passed away Tuesday, March 31, 2026, at ProMedica Toledo Hospital following a brief illness with his family at his side. Born June 26, 1952, in Zanesville, as the oldest child of William and Doris (Henderson) McFarlan, Ken grew up on his parents' dairy farm in Palmyra. He graduated from Southeast High School in 1970 and earned a bachelor's degree in music education from Miami University in 1974.

In the fall of 1974, Ken accepted his first teaching position at Twin Valley North Schools, teaching band at all levels and the high school and junior high choir. He moved to Oak Harbor in the fall of 1979 after accepting the job of head band director and music department chair at Oak Harbor High School. After a year completing his graduate degree in music education at Bowling Green State University, his final teaching position was at Sandusky High School. At each of these three schools, he raised the program's level, achieved great success in OMEA events, and changed the lives of many students.

Upon retirement in 2010, he became even busier than ever. He generously visited hundreds of band classrooms and assisted directors with sectionals, beginning band students, full-band clinics, and mentoring. He continued serving as an OMEA adjudicator and wrote many articles for the OMEA District 2 newsletter to aid as many music teachers as possible.

In 1980, he married Catherine Lewis at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Englewood. They combined their love of music and dedication to their students as they raised their two daughters.

Ken remained very active as a performer, especially in retirement. He was a charter member of the North Coast Concert Band and was able to rejoin this ensemble. He also joined the Bowling Green Area Community Concert Band and Lake Erie Winds, and performed with numerous chamber groups, assisting at many church services.

Ken was a very talented photographer, especially adept at capturing local wildlife. He was a masterful chef, able to make a delicious meal out of disparate items in the refrigerator. He was able to fix anything and never knew a stranger. He enjoyed adventuring near and far- he never met a back road that he did not want to travel.

His children, Morgan and Jillian, son-in-law, special friend and grandchildren were the apple of his eye. He loved, supported, and cared for them in many, many ways.

Ken is survived by his wife, Catherine Lewis; daughters, Morgan (Rob) McGee and Jillian (Chris Thornsley) McFarlan; grandchildren, Cora and Ben McGee; and numerous nieces and nephews. He is also survived by siblings, Vickie McFarlan, Barbara Trocheck, and Don (Donna) McFarlan; sisters-in-law, Barbara Lewis, Dorothy (Wade Flory) MtCastle, and Jenny (Brian Chrestoff) Lewis; and brother-in-law, Richard (Don Harp) Lewis.

Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. Thursday, April 9, 2026, at Crosser & Priesman Funeral Home, 301 N. Locust St., Oak Harbor, OH 43449. Funeral Services will begin at 10:30 a.m. at St. John Evangelical Lutheran Church, 122 W. Ottawa Street, Oak Harbor, OH 43449. Burial will follow in Salem Township Union Cemetery, Oak Harbor.

Memorial contribu-tions may be made to Bowling Green Area Community Bands, PO Box 1236, Bowling Green, OH 43402, North Coast Concert Band, 216 Old State Road, Norwalk, OH 44857 or the Ron Albert and Ken McFarlan Scholarship Fund in care of Sandusky City Schools, 407 Decatur Street, Sandusky, OH 44870.

Ken's family would like to thank the emergency staff at Fremont Memorial Hospital and all staff members of the neurology intensive care unit at ProMedica Toledo Hospital. The skilled, loving, compassionate and kind care provided comfort for Ken and his family.