Ermal Faye Breckennridge McFarland, 106, passed away Tuesday, April 23, 2013 at the Newton Presbyterian
Manor. She was born in Tingley, Iowa March 31, 1907, the daughter of Ellsworth Morrison and Bessie
Dell Steinkamp Breckenridge. Ermal finished high school in Tingley and attended Drake University and Simpson College. After graduation, she traveled as a professional drama and coach instructor for the Universal Producing
Company. She was among the first in this particular field. She was featured in a book "One Thousand
and One Broadway."
Ermal married Dr. Ray E. McFarland on July 11, 1931 in Wheaton, Illinois. They moved to Wichita
where they lived until they moved to the Newton Presbyterian Manor in 1978. Dr. McFarland preceded
her in death on March 16, 1994. Her only brother, Chester A. Breckenridge died in 1991.
Survivors: sister-in-law, Eula Breckenridge of Treasure Island, Florida; two nieces in Florida, cousin in-law in Mount Ayr,
Iosa.
She was active in Manor life, organizing social gatherings for her neighbors and helping out wherever needed. Ermal's
Motto was "Laugh and the world laughs with you; weep and you weep alone." She would say "A day without laughter was a day lost."
Graveside services will be Saturday, April 27 at Greenwood Cemetery in Newton.
