Lionel Lennox "Lenn" Farthing, Jr

Farthing, Lionel Lennox "Lenn" Jr. Born January 4th, 1933, Lenn passed away on Friday, March 13th. He was pre-deceased by his father, Egbert Lionel Lennox Farthing, his mother, Marie Antoinette Ritter Farthing, and his sister, Ellen Marie Farthing Elliott. He is survived by two nephews and a niece, Norman Elliott, Thomas Elliott and Linda Rice. Lenn served in the United States Army after graduating from Todd Academy in Illinois. He worked many years for the U. S. Postal Service, retiring in 1988. Outside of work his interests included sports, horse racing, and finance. He especially loved his boyhood neighborhood home centered on Cedar and Oak streets in Kalamazoo. For many years, he was seen by downtown Kalamazooans walking through the neighborhood, his pockets full of shelled peanuts feeding squirrels on the streets and in Bronson Park on his way to and from his favorite restaurant, Theo and Stacey's, where he ate his midday meal each day. There he was known as "Grandpa," a kindly older gentleman who loved animals. For those of us who knew him well, he was a caring son, brother, uncle and mentor who always gave effort and thought to help others succeed. In his later years he relied on the caring help of homecare professionals from Arcadia of Kalamazoo, allowing him to remain in his own home throughout a prolonged illness. With their help he continued to tour his neighborhood, driven by them in his car. A funeral service will be held at 2:00 PM on Friday, April 17th, at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Memorial Chapel, 622 S. Burdick St, where friends may visit with his family from 1:00 PM until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to do so may make a donation to Heartland Hospice.