Ruth E. McFarland, 96, of Mount Carmel, Illinois, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, May 22, 2024, at Wabash General Hospital, surrounded by the love of her family. She was born on December 4, 1927, in Albion, Illinois, the daughter of Charles and Emily Madge (Kincheloe) Schofield. She married Charles McFarland on November 1, 1947 and together they enjoyed forty-six years of marriage until his passing on January 20, 1994.

Ruth was a homemaker in the truest sense of the word; she spent her entire life making a home that was warm, welcoming, and filled with unconditional love. She was an excellent cook whose love language was family recipes, and her chicken soup and penchant for adding her secret ingredient to her grandchildren’s favorite dishes became cherished family traditions. Ruth was smart, and anyone who had the privilege of truly getting to know her quickly discovered she was hilarious. No one on earth could make her grandkids laugh like she could. From messy card tricks to basement dance parties to home runs in the city park to Thursday night hair appointments to making the dining room table “talk” with her sisters, Ruth’s goal in life was to bring joy and laughter to the people she loved. She will be missed beyond measure. But her family is comforted by her insistence in her later years that when she was tired and missed her Charles enough, she would go to sleep and join him, which is exactly what she did.

Ruth was a devoted member of the Mount Carmel Church of Christ and loved her church family dearly. Her Christian faith was not just a religion for her; it was the guiding light for the way she lived her life.

Ruth leaves behind her son, Doug McFarland and his wife, Amy, of Brownsburg, IN; five granddaughters, Meghan (Jamin) Quinn of Indianapolis, IN, Emily (Jordan) LeGout of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, Cameron McFarland (Zachary Tolle) of Louisville, KY, Isabel McFarland of Indianapolis, IN, Paige McFarland of Brownsburg, IN; three grandsons, Matthew Domizio (Jamie Wilson), Jeremy Domizio, Anthony Domizio, all of Evansville, IN; sister, Wilma Jean Julian of Indianapolis, IN; and eight great-grandchildren. Ruth also leaves behind her devoted and loving caregiver, constant companion, and wonderful neighbor Kim Fine and her husband Richard. Thank you to both of you on behalf of Ruth and her family.

Ruth was preceded in death by her parents; husband; daughter, Patricia S. Domizio; siblings, Naomi Shaw, Carl “Buster” Schofield, and Elwood Cox.

Family and friends are invited to gather for a Visitation from 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m., Sunday, May 26, 2024, in the Chapel of Keepes Funeral Home.

Funeral Services will be at 1:00 p.m., Sunday, May 26, 2024, in the Chapel of Keepes Funeral Home with Pastor Bobby Smith officiating. Burial will follow at Highland Memorial Cemetery, where Ruth will be laid to rest beside her beloved husband, Charles.

The McFarland family would like to extend a special note of heartfelt thanks to the staff at Wabash General Hospital who gave Ruth and her family the best and most compassionate care in their time of need and allowed Ruth to pass comfortably and peacefully.

Memorial contributions may be made in Ruth’s memory to Wabash General Hospital Foundation or Mount Carmel Church of Christ. Envelopes will be at the funeral home or can be mailed to Keepes Funeral Home, 1500 North Cherry Street, Mount Carmel, IL 62863.

Keepes Funeral Home is serving the family with the arrangements. To view Ruth’s tribute wall, and leave condolences for the McFarland family, please visit www.keepesfuneralhome.com