Raymond A. McFarlane, 79, of 1004 Barland St., died Saturday, December 22, 2001, at Sacred Heart Hospital. He was born on July 9, 1922, in Eau Claire to Harry and Anna (Mai) McFarlane. He graduated from Eau Claire High School with the class of 1940. \r\nOn December 31, 1948, Ray married Lorraine Robillard.\r\nRay attended Officer's Candidate School graduating as a Second Lieutenant. He served in the U.S. Army from November 1942 until his honorable discharge in November 1946. He was wounded and received the Purple Heart while serving in the Pacific Theatre. Ray served in the Korean Conflict from July 1950 until his discharge in November 1951 with the rank of First Lieutenant. He was a Commander of the VFW Ninth District of Western Wisconsin, and VFW Post #305 in Eau Claire where he also held various other offices. Ray chartered the "Military Order of the Purple Heart" Chapter #550, and was also a member of VFW Post #305, American Legion, and Disabled American Veterans. He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus Council #1257 and the Bishop Fulton J. Sheen General Assembly 4th Degree.\r\nRay was employed at Taystee Bakery Co., Metropolitan Life Insurance Co., and the US Postal Service and he also owned and managed rental property.\r\nHe was an umpire for little league baseball for many years and was active in Toastmasters Club.\r\nSurvivors include his wife, Lorraine; three sons, Larry (Jeanne) McFarlane of Ft. Lauderdale, FL, Paul McFarlane of Colorado Springs, CO, and Mark (Sue) McFarlane of Eau Claire; two daughters, Gail McFarlane (Gene Peterson) of Los Alamos, NM and Fay (Dennis) Hubbard of Esko, MN; ten grandchildren, Mary (Greg) McFarlane-Turk, Larisa (Joe) Keeler, Travis, Mathew, Anna and Crissy Hubbard; and Amy, Joe, Jim and Bill McFarlane; three great-grandchildren, Secilli and Alan Keeler, and Cassie Turk; and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.\r\nHe was preceded in death by his parents; a grandson, Stephen McFarlane; three brothers; David, William, and Victor; and two sisters; Iva Brandrup and Ruth Whitwam.\r\nMass of Christian Burial will be at 11 a.m. Friday, December 28, 2001, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with Father Eugene A. Klink officiating. Burial will be in St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery where VFW Post #305 will conduct military rites. Visitation for family and friends will be from 3 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Lenmark-Gomsrud-Linn Funeral Home where there will be a 6 p.m. Veteran's memorial service and a 7 p.m. public and Knights of Columbus Prayer Vigil.\r\nMemorials may be directed to Regis High School-Bob Duran Scholarship Fund, St. Joseph's Hospice or Friends of Sacred Heart Hospital.

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