James I. “Skip” McFarland, 60, of Topton, died on Friday, February 3, 2017, after a lengthy illness, in Hospice House of VNA of Saint Lukes, Lower Saucon Township, Lehigh County, surrounded by his loving family. He was the loving husband of Linda M. (Simpson) McFarland, whom he married May 9, 1981.

Born in Upper Darby, Delaware County, he was a son of the late James D. and Dolores I. (Irwin) McFarland. James was a member of Saint Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Kutztown, where he was formerly active in the Men's Club of St. Mary's.  Skip was a graduate of Cardinal O'Hara High School, Springfield, class of 1974. He received a Bachelor's Degree in Business Management from Saint Francis of Loretto College, Cambria County in 1978. Mr. McFarland was employed as a senior property claims adjuster for Allstate Insurance, Malvern, for over 30 years until his illness prevented him from working. Skip was a member and past president of the Topton Soccer Club, Brandywine Youth Baseball and Basketball coach, and served as a Berks County Soccer Referee. Skip was an avid golfer and outdoorsman.

In addition to his Wife of 35 years, Linda, James is survived by a Daughter, Katie D. (McFarland), wife of Gary J. Mason, Jr., Bethlehem, and a Son, Timothy I., husband of Victoria A. (McGuigan-Carl) McFarland, Exeter Township. Other survivors include 2 Sisters, Pamela (McFarland) Weaver, Drexel Hill, Delaware County, and Sue (McFarland), wife of Doug Wilson, Springfield. There is a Grandson, Brodey Thomas McFarland; and an Aunt, Patricia (Irwin), widow of Bill Evans, Duncansville, Blair County.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, February 10, 2017, at 10:00 AM from Saint Mary's Roman Catholic Church, 14388 Kutztown Road, Kutztown, with The Reverend Monsignor Walter T. Scheaffer, as celebrant. Visitations will be held on Thursday evening, February 9, 2017 from 6:30 to 8:00 PM in Ludwick Funeral Homes, Inc., 333 Greenwich Street, Kutztown, and Friday morning from 9:00 to 10:00 AM in the church. Interment will be held on Saturday, February 11, 2017 at 11:30 AM at Saints Peter and Paul Cemetery, 1600 South Sproul Road, Springfield, PA 19064.

The family requests contributions be made in "Skip's" memory to Hospice House of the VNA of Saint Luke's, 1510 Valley Center Parkway, Suite 200, Bethlehem, PA  18017. Arrangements are by the Ludwick Funeral Home, Kutztown, PA.