Betty Joan (McFarland) Thomas

On August 21, 2023, Betty Joan (McFarland) Thomas of Greencastle, passed away peacefully at the age of 95. Born on June 9, 1928, she was the daughter of John C. and Nina Atlanta (Smith) Westfall, and sister of James (Jim), George, Robert (RJ) Westfall, and Mary Lou (Westfall) Schnurpel. She is survived by brother, RJ. She graduated from Greencastle High School in 1945 and attended DePauw University. Betty married Forrest Eugene (Gene) McFarland on December 20, 1946. Together they had five children, Richard (Carol), Rebecca (Keith) Chapin, Beverly (Dick-deceased) Miller, Barbara (Mike) Cox, and Rhonda (Frank “Chip”) Kessler. They were lovingly married for 56 years. He proceeded her in death in 2002. From this union, they were blessed with 15 grandchildren, 6 step-grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren, and 24 step-grandchildren. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews. On December 27, 2008, Betty married Amos P. Thomas. They were joyfully blessed with 14 years of marriage before her death. She is survived by Amos’s five children, Amy, Andy, David, Nancy, Ben; 12 grandchildren and 3 great-grandchildren. Son, Mark passed prior to their marriage. Betty was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Her greatest joy and light of her life was spending time with family. She will always be remembered for her unfailing patience, kindness, and generous spirit. She never hesitated to volunteer her time as a member and leader to serve her community and church. She was an accomplished seamstress, and consummate homemaker, raising her family and working tirelessly alongside her husband, Gene on the family farm. After raising her children, she worked for Head Start as an instructor teaching life-skills within the home, and at Anne’s Fashion Boutique where she was known for her remarkable skills as a seamstress. Initiated into Bainbridge #440 Order of Eastern Star in 1950, Betty held an Office every year from 1974 through 2022; she received her 50-year pin in 2000, presented by her current chapter of Greencastle #255. In 1981 she was appointed District 9 Deputy of the Indiana Grand Chapter of the Eastern Star; 1982 appointed Grand Ruth of the Indiana Grand Chapter of the Eastern Star, and in 2002 was appointed as Grand Representative to British Columbia in Indiana. She was proudly a long-standing member, leader, and public servant of her local Republican Party and Republican Women’s Club. Betty served two terms as County Recorder and one term as County Assessor. She was a member and past president of Putnam County Extension Homemakers, a member of Greencastle First Baptist Church, and Kappa Delta Phi Sorority. Services will be held Monday, August 28 at 1p.m., Hopkins-Rector Funeral Home, 4 Percy L. Julian Drive, Greencastle, IN. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until time of service. Interment will follow at Forest Hill Cemetery in Greencastle. In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution may be made in Betty’s honor: Wears Valley Ranch, 100 One Fine Place, Sevierville, TN 37862; online wvr.org. WVR provides Christian homes, education, and counseling to children in crisis situations.