All Obituaries

Donald L Farr age 90 of McBain passed away peacefully at Quiet Creek AFC on December 22, 2024.

Don was born in McBain on November 22, 1934, to Charles and Beulah (Dorland) Farr. He graduated from McBain Agricultural School in 1953. He attended Ferris State University studying engineering and then went into the Air Force where he was a medical laboratory specialist.

On December 23, 1958, he married the former Juanita Carlington in Milford, Michigan. They were married for 59 years until she passed away on January 12, 2018.

Don then worked in the lab at the former Cadillac Malleable Iron in Cadillac and retired after 30 years. He spent some years as the president of the board at the Wexford Community Credit Union. While at the Cadillac Malleable he became interested in building his own foundry which he built in his backyard. He developed that into a small business called Custom Cast Products where he produced castings in iron, brass, and aluminum for many businesses large and small including Avon Automotive.

He enjoyed collecting and reading technical books, going for rides, and traveling the United States. He was an accomplished tinkerer who could recreate any item he set his mind to. He made many parts for people at the Buckley Old Engine Show where he was a frequent attendee. He especially enjoyed making and selling steam whistles and brass cannons in many sizes as well as the oak carriages for the cannons. He was also a member of the Community Church of Christ in Lake City for many years.

Don leaves behind one daughter, Kimberly (Barry) Meyering; three granddaughters, Tara (Darin) Parr of Dansville, Tabitha (Nick) McKenzie of Sanford, and Emma (Austin) Reed of McBain. He also leaves six great-granddaughters; Scarlett, Maryn and Daivy McKenzie and Taylor, Skeeter and Myka Reed; his brother, Charles Farr of Cadillac; and sisters-in-law Audrey Sladek of Traverse City and Mairi Carlington of South Boardman; as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; father and mother-in-law, Gerald and Lila Carlington; father-in-law Bill Todd; sister, Mary Lou Keehn; sister's-in-law, Marlene Phillips and Marian Farr; brothers-in-law, Karl Carlington, Brian Carlington, Joe Sladek, Jim Bush, and Johnny Keehn.

A private graveside service will be held at Mount View Cemetery in McBain. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.burkholderfunerals.com. Memorial contributions can be directed to the Community Church of Christ in Lake City. The family is being served by the Burkholder Family Funeral Home in McBain.