Merlin Joseph "Mutt" McFarlain Sr.

A celebration of Merlin J. “Mutt” McFarlain, Sr.’s life will be held at 3:00pm Friday, September 6, in Bellview Baptist Church of Westlake, with the Rev. Jaceson Johnson officiating. Visitation is from 4:00- 10:00pm Thursday at Hixson Funeral Home of Westlake and will resume 10:00am- 3:00pm Friday at the church. Burial will be in Westlake Memorial Park.

Merlin “Mutt” entered eternal rest while visiting his brother in Canyon Lake, TX on Sunday, September 1, 2013. He was born in Sweetlake, LA on July 20, 1929 to the late Wilbert Adams McFarlain Sr. and Mary (Morvant) McFarlain. He was 84 years of age. He was a loving husband, father, brother, uncle and grandfather.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Wilbert and Mary McFarlain, ten siblings, Mildred LaGrange, William McFarlain, Wilvern McFarlain, Thelma Guillory, Via Trahan, Curley Humphery Zula Farrell, Rita Robbins, Lela Stone and Genvieve Thomas; one grandson, Casey Ray Miller.

He retired from Coca Cola Bottling Company after twenty-three years. He was a member of Bellview Baptist Church in Westlake, Louisiana. “Mutt” was a man who extremely loved the outdoors, which included hunting, fishing and racing homing pigeons. He loved raising chickens and gathering eggs. Along with gardening, he was very eager to share all things which he grew with family and friends. He enjoyed spending time with his family and many friends. He especially enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren.

Those left to cherish his memories and mourn his loss include his loving wife of 49 years , Dorothy “Dot” Datenhoff McFarlain; five children: two daughters, Carolyn Bozeman and husband, Warren of Lake Charles, LA and Vanessa Ann Stanley and husband, Chad of Buna, TX; three sons, Carl Ray “Mac” McFarlain and wife, Patsy of Sulphur, LA, Ronald Lynn McFarlain and fiancé, Amy of Utica, IL and Merlin J. “Joe Mac” McFarlain Jr. and fiancé, Gloria of Sulphur, LA; two sisters, Earline Schexnider of Lake Charles, LA and Evanna Schmilt of Lake Charles, LA; one brother, Wilbert A. McFarlain and wife, Patricia of Canyon Lake, TX; 13 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and 4 great-great grandchildren.

Our dad is deeply loved and will truly be missed may he rest in peace.

Donations may be made to Bellview Baptist Church in lieu of flowers. Words of comfort maybe shared with the family at www.hixsonfuneralhomes.com.