Vigil held for Byron woman who was electrocuted

By EARLEEN HINTON ehinton@shawmedia.com

Family and friends of Marlana McFarland stood outside her home March 28 to remember the 34-year-old mother of five who was electrocuted March 25 while trying to help her nextdoor neighbors after a power line fell on their home.

“You could not ask for a sweeter soul,” said Sally Palen a friend and neighbor of McFarland. “She leaves behind a lot of people who will remember her, including her family and friends.”

McFarland died after a 7,200-volt power line fell on her neighbor’s home at 115 W. Third St. in Byron, charging the home with electricity. Firefighters found McFarland, who had not been identified at the time, on the ground outside the home when responding to the call at 8:47 a.m.

The Ogle County Coroner’s office ruled her death as an accidental electrocution.

Firefighters were unable to reach McFarland or fight the ensuing blaze until ComEd crews arrived to cut power to the home, Byron Deputy Fire Chief Tony Dinges said.

Once the power was shut down –which took about an hour – firefighters battled the blaze and saved other homes on the block, but the home that had been electrified was a total loss.

Heavy snow fell across the region that morning followed by brisk winds. Dinges said he thought the fallen line likely was because of the weather.

McFarland’s mom, Tracy Tollett of Louisiana, thanked everyone for coming to pay tribute to her daughter as a large crowd stood outside her daughter’s home Tuesday night.

“I want each and every one of you to know our family is in love with you for acknowledging our daughter,” she said. “She was just great.”

McFarland’s younger brother, Cory Tollett, 25, also of Louisiana, said his sister was special.

“Growing up, I always thought she was the coolest person ever,” he said. “Everything about her, I looked up to her. She was my hero, from visiting her in basic training camp to the birth of her first child and each child after that. Those memories I have are always going to be cherished.”

Deanna Fidder is a Byron native and resident of Belvidere who owns the home McFarland and her children lived at 109 W. Third St. She said once she met McFarland while interviewing potential renters, she knew Marlana and her family would be a perfect fit for the home.

“My mom and dad lived in the house for 70 years,” Fidder said. “Once I met Marley, I knew she was perfect for the house. She loved her kids like you would not believe.”

According to her obituary, McFarland recently had started working at the Byron Power Station and was a member of the Army reserves. “She was the founder of Rockford Crunchy Ladies, where she helped women embrace healthy and natural lifestyle.” The obituary was posted online at farrellhollandgale.com/obituaries/ marlana-mcfarland.

“I know she’s looking down on us and smiling,” said Palen, who organized Tuesday’s vigil.

A GoFundMe page for McFarland and her family has been established at gofundme.com/f/family-of-marley-mcfarland

Donations also are being accepted for the family whose home was destroyed after they evacuated safely.

Micki Hoefle, the human resource manager for the Meridian School District, is collecting donations for that family.

For information on that funding effort, call Hoefle at 815-988-7361.

Bank accounts have been established at Holcomb Bank, where donations for both families can be sent.

ABOVE: Kim Caponi of Morris holds a candle for her relative Marlana McFarland during a March 28 candlelight vigil. AT LEFT: Cory Tollett, McFarland’s younger brother, talks about his sister during the vigil. McFarland was electrocuted while trying to help her neighbors after a power line fell on their home March 25.

Special Events

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Guild meetings are held at the Forreston Grove Church, 7246 Freeport Road, Forreston, on the third Monday of each month at 7 p.m., with ample time to meet and greet members before the meeting. Visitors are very much welcome. There is a $5 fee for visitors. For more information, call Program Committee Chairs Dawn Vehmeier at 815-2914592 or Ann Tully at 815-238-2218 or Guild President Shelly Holverson at 815-297-2381.

Leaf River Easter egg hunt, breakfast with bunny set for April 8

The Leaf River Lions Club’s Breakfast with Bunny and Easter egg hunt are set for April 8.

Breakfast will be served from 7 to 10 a.m. at the Bertolet Memorial Building, 103 W. Second St. The menu includes pancakes, waffles, French toast, whole hot sausage, scrambled eggs, applesauce, orange juice, milk and coffee. The cost for all-you-can-eat is $9; those 14 and older are $7; children 11 to 13 are $4; and children 10 and younger are free.

The Easter egg hunt will take place in the park at 10 a.m. Proceeds will go to the Leaf River festival and other Lions Club projects.

Leaf River Lions Club hosting presentation about the Holocaust on April 16

The Leaf River Lions Club is hosting a presentation on the Holocaust on Sunday, April 16, at the Bertolet Memorial building in Leaf River.

Doors will open at 1 p.m., with the presentation beginning at 1:30 p.m. There will be displays on hand for viewing before and after the presentation.

The presenter for the program is Susan Schinleber from the Chicago area. She has been doing Holocaust presentations for several years and has done extensive research to substantiate her facts.

Schinleber has supplemented her teaching with extensive seminars at the International School for Holocaust studies at Yad Vashem in Israel, with Echoes and Reflections and with Facing History both in Chicago and virtually.

“There is much more that could be said here but come to her presentation. You will find her presentation to be remarkably interesting,” a Lions member said in a news release. “If you are too young to know what the Holocaust was, you will find this presentation to be highly informative and graphic at times. The program is scheduled to end at 3:30 p.m. but could run longer depending on questions. The Holocaust is a sad part of world history and something that should not be forgotten.”

There is no admission charge for the presentation, but donations will be accepted. Light refreshments will be available. Seating is somewhat limited. Call 815-738-2761 to reserve a seat.

Epilepsy support group to meet April 12 at Village Bakery in Oregon

Illinois Epilepsy and Supports and Resources will offer an informational meeting/support group at 9:30 a.m. April 12 at The Village Bakery, 101 N. Third St. in Oregon.

At this group, people with epilepsy and supporters can share, eat and get assistance from the program.

Even if a person can’t attend the meeting, they can contact Stephanie Harcharik, epilepsy coordinator, at 815-673-5574.

Services are designed to meet individual needs and can include, but aren’t limited to, peer support, caregiver support, support in accessing benefits and/or services, navigating insurance, identification and linkage to medical professionals, access to counseling, referrals to employment specialists and help coordinating transportation.

The group met at The Village Bakery in November 2022 with 11 people attending.

First Fridays open mic April 7 at Oregon VFW

The First Fridays Open Mic’s next show is Friday, April 7, at the Oregon VFW, 310 W. Washington St. in Oregon.

“The event attracts many talented performers, but musicians and singers of all skill levels find acceptance from its supportive audience,” organizer Lowell Harp said.

The VFW provides ample parking, along with the availability of a restaurant and bar within the building. A fish fry runs from 4 to 8 p.m.

“The show starts at 6:30 p.m. Admission is free, although a jar is available for donations. Performers can sign up for time slots on a first-come, first-serve basis starting at 6 p.m., Harp said.

Interested parties who have questions can contact Jerry Tice at 815-449-2660.

“They shared their own stories of living with epilepsy and gave support to a caregiver whose family member had recently been diagnosed. The group was a safe space for people to connect with others who are living their life with epilepsy. The food was definitely part of the conversation, with The Bakery offering pastries, donuts, bagels and cookies from their business, which provides work and training opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” Harcharik said in a news release. “This is a free event meant to support and provide information to people with epilepsy and their caregivers.”

Latex paint collection, document shredding offered April 15 in Oregon

The Ogle County Solid Waste Management Department (OCSWMD) will be hosting a Latex Paint/Aerosol Can Recycling and Document Shredding Event on Saturday, April 15, at 909 Pines Road in Oregon.

This event is for Ogle County residents only and identification is required. No permits are required for this recycling event.

Latex paint will be collected for recycling from 8 a.m. until noon. The first 10 containers of latex paint per vehicle will cost $1 per quart-sized container, $2 per gallon-sized container and $10 per 5-gallon pail. The OCSWMD will subsidize the remaining cost to recycle the latex paint. Any additional containers of latex paint will be charged the full price to recycle, which is $3 per quart, $6 per gallon and $20 per 5-gallon pail. Cash, credit card or checks payable to “EathPaint.org” will be accepted for payment.

Oil-based paints, stains and varnishes and spray cans will be accepted. Residents will have to cover the full cost for recycling oil-based paints, stains and varnishes. Costs to recycle are $6 per quart-sized container, $10 per gallon-sized container and $25 per 5-gallon pail. Cash, credit card or checks payable to “EathPaint.org” will be accepted for payment.

No business or contractor paints will be accepted. No bulking or combining of latex paint. Bulked latex paint cannot be recycled in this program.

EarthPaint.org is a nonprofit business in the Chicago area that works with adults with special needs and disabilities to sort and recycle unwanted latex paint into new paint or other products.

Aerosol cans, small 14- to 16-ounce propane cylinders and small butane cylinders will be accepted by Flatcan Recycling. There is no cost for up to 10 containers. For more than 10 items, aerosol cans will be $1 each and propane and butane cylinders will be $3 each for recycling.

Most aerosol spray products will be accepted for recycling. Flatcan Recycling will accept alkaline batteries for recycling for $4 per pound and one child car seat at no charge. Additional child car seats will be $20 per seat.

In addition, secure, on-site document shredding will be conducted by Freeport Recycling’s Shred-Beast truck from 9 a.m. to noon. There is a limit of three boxes per vehicle. No business or institutional material accepted. There is no cost to residents for paper shredding because the OCSWMD will cover the cost of the Shred-Beast truck and staff.

For more information, call OCSWMD at 815-732-4020, email solidwaste@oglecountyil.gov, or visit www.oglecountyil.gov